Champions League Group C wrap: Man Utd go top after Benfica slip

Manchester United eased past Otelul Galati, capitalising on Benfica’s slip-up to FC Basel to go top of Champions League Group C.

An early goal from Antonio Valencia and a deflected Wayne Rooney effort gave Manchester United an hard-earned 2-1 win against the stubborn Romanian outfit, while Basel kept their hopes of progression to the knockout stages alive after stealing at point in their 1-1 draw at Benfica’s Estadio do Luz.

The three points leaves Alex Ferguson’s side top of Group C and level on points with Benfica, though Dorinel Munteanu’s men proved a stern test for the English Premier League champions at Old Trafford.

Starts for Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov meant Rooney was given a midfield role against Otelul, while Rio Ferdinand and Brazilian full-back Fabio also featured in the line-up.

The hosts – in the first home game since their 6-1 humbling by rivals Manchester City on October 22 – came out firing, with the visitors allowing Berbatov to trot forward and pass to the overlapping Phil Jones.

The defender continued down the right flank before crossing for Valencia to tap home from close range to open the scoring after just eight minutes.

A rare appearance for Owen was abruptly curtailed when he came off after only 11 minutes to be replaced by Javier Hernandez.

Hernandez had several attempts but his only real chance on goal ended up well wide of goalkeeper Branko Grahovac’s net on 30 minutes. The stopper had to be alert shortly after when a marauding run from Fabio from inside his own half caught out the Otelul defence, with only an excellent sliding challenge from Cristian Sarghi preventing more danger.

Jones had an effort deflected soon after, but the visitors took hope from their defensive efforts and when a loose pass from Valencia allowed Ionut Neagu to bare down on goal, only a slight deflection from Ferdinand and a good save from David De Gea kept the hosts in the lead.

The threat from Jones did not diminish and a bounding run down the right flank midway through the second half nearly resulted in another chance for Hernandez, but the hanging cross was too high for the Mexican.

United’s one-goal lead seemed likely to remain until the 87th minute, when a long-range effort from Rooney deflected off Sarghi and left Grahovac with no chance of saving the shot.

The 2-0 scoreline may have been harsh on the visitors, but Manchester United now move into pole position in Group C on eight points.

They capitalised on Benfica’s slip to visiting Swiss champions Basel, with the Portuguese outfit taking the lead after just four minutes through Rodrigo’s perfect half-volley from Nico Gaitan’s header.

Benfica had the edge for vast periods of the match, but Basel claimed a point when veteran Australian left-winger Scott Chipperfield got behind the hosts’ defence and crossed for Benjamin Huggel to drive home.

Benfica are second in the group and trail United only by goal difference, with Basel three points in arrears.