Man Utd 2
WAYNE ROONEY fired home two penalties - but United had to win with 10 men.
Nemanja Vidic was controversially sent off on 67 minutes for a high challenge on Gabriel Giurgiu.3879735
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What should have been a routine night for United was anything but. They dominated the game but constantly wasted possession.
But it all appeared to be plain sailing when Sergiu Costin handled in the box and Rooney stepped up to send the keeper Branko Grahovac the wrong way in the 64th minute
Yet referee Felix Brych gave Vidic his marching orders for what look an innocent, but slightly mis-timed tackle on Giurgiu and United had to hang on to record their first Champions League win of the season.
The Romanians had Milan Perendija sent off for a second booking with three minutes left and Rooney clinched victory when he converted an injury-time penalty after appearing to dive in the box.
Nani also almost scored a spectacular goal - hitting a post from 35 yards.
United were well on top for the opening exchanges.
Nani's delicate pass on the edge of the area split Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, then Fabio failed to find a team-mate as he floated across into the penalty area.
Anderson embarked on a midfield charge but also gave the ball away.
It took a last-ditch Cornel Rapa tackle to prevent Patrice Evra charging on to a pass Nani rolled invitingly into the penalty area.
Then Nemanja Vidic gave the ball away needlessly on the edge of the area to Bratislav Punosevac, who fired a first-time effort straight at Anders Lindegaard.
Anderson drilled a shot wide from 25 yards at the other end.
Punosevac created another chance for himself as Otelul began to grow in confidence, although again, Lindegaard was not tested.
United were making far too many unforced errors and were fortunate the ball bounced their way when Lindegaard smashed his clearance straight at Vidic.
United were having plenty of possession but doing very little with it.
In contrast Punosevac was becoming an irritant, drawing a free-kick out of Chris Smalling that ended with a shot from Gabriek Giurgiu and a penalty appeal when the ball struck Vidic.
The hosts continued to apply pressure and Ioan Filip strode forward to fire just over from the edge of the area.
Rooney had been quiet for almost half an hour but a goalbound shot may have threatened had it not hit Giurgiu.
The England striker did bring a save out of Branko Grahovac shortly afterwards with a curling free-kick the keeper pushed away from his near post.
Evra dashed forward and brought a low save out of Grahovac, then Fabio had to get himself out of trouble after diving in on Sorin Frunza.
United finally created a clear-cut opening four minutes before the break when Nani laid a pass off to Michael Carrick, only for the midfielder to blaze over.
Nani then went for goal himself and Grahovac needed to smother at the second attempt as Hernandez closed in.
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