Van Persie scored in the middle of the first half and the beginning of the second half, helping MU reverse the situation after allowing Cluj to suddenly take the lead with Kapetanos opening the score.
> Summary of Cluj 1-2 MU match
The Dutch striker’s first goal for MU was somewhat lucky when the ball from Rooney’s free kick fell on his shoulder and bounced into the net.
Van Persie for the fourth time since the beginning of this season made his mark in MU’s victory.
Rooney was still the creator of MU’s second goal with an accurate long ball hanging into the penalty area for his teammates to connect with.
However, it is difficult to use the words `convincing` or `excellent` to talk about MU’s victory in Romania yesterday.
Before the match, despite MU keeping clean sheets in seven of nine recent away matches in the Champions League, coach Ferguson was still worried about the home team’s limited defensive ability revealed after the 2-3 loss to Tottenham.
Ferguson’s worries soon came true in the 14th minute when the central defender pair Rio Ferdinand – Evans, in a moment of inattention, let Kapetanos comfortably receive the ball in the penalty area and then beat De Gea with a shot into the far corner.
MU was lackluster for most of the match.
This is the seventh time since the beginning of this season that MU has conceded first.
However, MU also had to rely on a little luck to equalize.
However, this equalizer did not help MU play better.
Cluj played well, but there were no explosive individuals to make a difference like MU’s Van Persie.
After a sensitive strike that opened up a 3-2 comeback victory over Fulham, a hat trick that decided the 3-2 win over Southampton and a successful penalty that sealed a 2-1 victory at Liverpool, Van Persie for the fourth time.
The psychological advantage that Van Persie’s second goal created helped MU, especially the defense, play confidently in the remaining minutes and protect the result until the end of time.
With just one more victory in the next two consecutive matches against Braga, MU will definitely have the ticket to continue.
Squad:
Cluj: Felgueiras – Sepsi, Cadu, Rada, Ivo Pinto – Sougou (LuÃs Alberto 24), Aguirregaray (Nicoara 81), Muresan, Camora – Bastos, Kapetanos (Bjelanovic 61)
Man Utd: De Gea – Rafael, Evans (Wootton 79), Rio Ferdinand, Evra – Cleverley, Fletcher, Anderson, Rooney – Chicharito (Welbeck 83), Van Persie
Goals: Kapetanios 14′ – Van Persie 29′ and 49′.
Team
Battle
T
H
B
BT
BB
HS
Point
Manchester United
2
2
0
0
3
first
+2
6
Cluj
2
first
0
first
3
2
+1
3
Braga
2
first
0
first
2
2
0
3
Galatasaray
2
0
0
2
0
3
−3
0
