Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Ferguson hails Wayne Rooney as Manchester United win
Sir Alex Ferguson saluted his two-goal match-winner Wayne Rooney, whose elevation to the status of highest-scoring Englishman in Champions League history was perfectly timed.With Manchester United being held by the stubborn and occasionally cynical Romanians of Otelul Galati, Ferguson needed something special to kickstart their Group C campaign after two draws.And, following a tactical switch, Rooney's two second-half penalties moved him to 26 goals in Europe's elite competition, above Paul Scholes (24).Otelul Galati 0 Man United 2: Now read Chris Wheeler's report Sealed with a kiss: Wayne Rooney celebrates as Manchester United winENGLISH TOP SCORERSWayne Rooney (Man Utd) 26 Paul Scholes (Man Utd) 24 Frank Lampard (Chelsea) 20 Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) 19Rooney had an embarrassing penalty slip against Arsenal earlier this season but Ferguson, asked if he had considered relieving the forward of spot-kick duties, scoffed: 'Why should a miss make a difference? He slipped. 'We played Rooney further upfield in the second half and that made the difference. I wasn't so much concerned at half-time but we knew what we needed to say to the players because our possession wasn't creating any penetration.'I don't think we were lucky at all, we were the better team. We dominated possession and improved in the second half through Nani, Rooney and Anderson. Those three players changed the game. No mistake: Rooney scored twice from the spot to ease United's nerves'We are pleased after drawing the first two games. That created a certain pressure but we acquired a victory tonight and we're happy with that.'However, United's victory was marred by the sending-off of captain Nemanja Vidic, shown a straight red card in the 66th minute for a touchline challenge on Otelul midfielder Gabriel Giurgiu. It brought an abrupt end to Vidic's first United game since the opening day of the season.Ferguson felt it was a harsh decision by German referee Felix Brych, saying: 'I've looked at it and his foot's certainly high. I can understand the referee's interpretation because German football is different to English. It was certainly a booking but I thought a red card was a bit harsh. Seeing red: Nemanja Vidic was sent off for a foul on Gabriel Giurgiu'After the work we've done on Otelul it was exactly what we expected. They are a hard-working team, organised and their coach will be pleased with them. It's not easy to chase the ball all night but they did that and deserve credit for that.'Midfielder Michael Carrick admitted Manchester United got the tough game they expected after labouring to a 2-0 Champions league win over Otelul Galati in Bucharest'We expected it to be hard,' Carrick told Sky Sports.'We knew it was going to be tough, we had to be patient and in the end we came through.'You go into the game expecting a tough game and anything else is a bonus.' Challenge: Michael Carrick (left) expected a tough game in RomaniaCarrick claimed the sending-off of Vidic was not clear-cut.He said: 'It was a dubious sending-off at best really and we're disappointed with that.'Otelul coach Dorinel Munteanu felt his side were unfortunate to slip to defeat, insisting his players were more than a match for United for much of the encounter.'It is a totally undeserved defeat, taking into consideration the flow of the match,' Munteanu said. 'We played well and had the necessary aggression, but we were playing against Manchester United. We lost three points in an unacceptable manner, as we did at Basle.'I think my players did very well, but I am still I am upset and disappointed, even if it seemed before the match that we were heavy underdogs.'I have congratulated my players on their display. I cannot fault them at all and today there wasn't that much difference between the sides.' Otelul Galati 0 Man United 2: Minnows pay the penalty but win marred by Vidic red cardCHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Manchester City 2 Villarreal 1 and Galati 0 Manchester United 2 - as it happenedRooney hope for Euro 2012 as UEFA confirm striker's victim could help reduce banAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion