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Wayne Rooney Showcases His Versatility as Manchester United Gain Champions League Win

Stewart Flaherty, November 3 2011,
Wayne Rooney impressed while playing in an unfamiliar central midfield role for Manchester United as they cruised to a 2-0 win over Otelul Galati.
Wayne Rooney performed well in central midfield as Manchester United beat Otelul Galati 2-0.
Wayne Rooney performed well in central midfield as Manchester United beat Otelul Galati 2-0.
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The result moves United to the top of UEFA Champions League Group C on goal difference, after former leaders SL Benfica drew 1-1 with FC Basel.

The decision to play Rooney in midfield was forced by the injury absence of Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher.

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with Rooney’s performance after the game, and will also be pleased to have moved top of the Group C standings.

“He was our best player. He showed great awareness of that role,” Ferguson told BBC Sport. “His selection of passes at times was very good and he showed great energy and determination. We got a really good performance out of him.”

United opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, when the recalled Dimitar Berbatov played in Phil Jones down the right flank. Veteran striker Michael Owen failed to convert Jones’ cross, but Antonio Valencia was on hand to turn home the opening goal.

Sadly for Owen, it would be his last contribution to the game as he limped off injured in the 11th minute to be replaced by Javier Hernandez.

Otelul spent the vast majority of the first half defending, but did have a chance to equalize when Marius Pena got on the end of a Liviu Antal cross only to head wide.

United dominated possession, but could not add to their lead during the first period. Their best chance came when the marauding Jones had a shot blocked by Cristian Sarghi.

Berbatov was denied by a fine Branko Grahovac save after he was released by Hernandez, and then the Bulgarian striker fired into the side netting after intercepting an errant back pass.

Frustration began to creep in for United as Hernandez headed over the bar from a Jones cross, and Anderson’s goal bound effort was cleared off the line by Sergiu Costin.

The 2-0 win was sealed three minutes from time when Rooney found the net from outside the area with a deflected shot.

Rooney won ‘Man of the Match’ honors for his display, and the performance rounded off a pleasing week for the striker. On Tuesday Rooney was named along greats like Lionel Messi and Crisitiano Ronaldo on the shortlist for the Ballon D’or award.

Rooney spoke after the match and expressed his willingness to play any role asked of him by Ferguson. I feel I’m a good enough footballer to play anywhere on the park. That’s not being big-headed. I feel I am capable of doing that. If the manager wants me to play there, I have no problem in doing that.”

The versatility of Rooney could be a big advantage for Ferguson as the season goes on, particularly given that United do not have the depth of their rivals on the Blue side of Manchester.

LINEUPS

MAN U – De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans (Fryers 89), Fabio Da Silva, Anderson (Park Ji-Sung 80), Nani, Valencia, Owen (Hernandez 11), Berbatov, Rooney.

OTE – Grahovac, Rapa, Sargi, Costin, Pena, Filip, Antal (Iorga 61), Ilie (Frunza 52), Salageanu, Neagu, Giurgiu (Paraschiv (81).

SCORING SUMMARY

MAN U – Antonio Valencia (Phil Jones) 8’
MAN U – Wayne Rooney (Park Ji-Sung) 87’

LiveSoccerTV Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Attendance: 74,847

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