Rooney double helps United past resolute Oţelul

Wayne Rooney struck two second-half penalties as Manchester United FC picked up their first win in this season's UEFA Champions League at FC Oţelul Galaţi.

After draws in their two opening fixtures, United were eager to chalk up three points in Bucharest, though it was anything but easy for the visitors. After taking the lead in the 64th minute, Nemanja Vidić was sent off and victory was not secured until Rooney's second penalty in added time.

United, showing six changes from the XI on duty against FC Basel 1893, soon settled into a smooth rhythm but they came up against a more aggressive Oţelul than the one who had allowed SL Benfica to depart with all three points here three weeks ago. The home side began to win their tackles and forced numerous mistakes from the United defence through their constant hassling.

Ioan Filip spread real belief among his team's supporters with a surging run, let down only by a finish that flew just too high. It was stirring stuff which generated a positive response from United. A Rooney free-kick had Branko Grahovac scrambling down by his left-hand post.

United's breakthrough came when Rooney, sent through by Nani, tried to find Javier Hernández with a square pass. The alarm bells sounded in the home defence and Sergiu Costin felt compelled to thrust out an arm to block the cross. Rooney took full advantage from the penalty spot to score his tenth club goal of the season.

Two minutes later Vidić challenged Gabriel Giurgiu as they contested a ball near the halfway line and the United skipper was shown the red card. The hosts almost benefited from their numerical advantage immediately, had Liviu Antal been first to a bouncing ball, but Michael Carrick came in with a vital block.

In the 90th minute Nani struck a post just after Milan Perendija had also seen red for a second bookable offence. The last word was Rooney's after he had been felled by Antal; the England striker placing his spot kick in the same right-hand corner of the net as his first penalty to secure the points.