To coin a phrase from The Smiths classic song, watching United last night against Braga in the Quarry pit was a different affair after the lights came back on.
Last night in the belting rain in Portugal united needed a win to secure there passage to the knock out stage after last season surprise exit at the group stage. A much changed United team with Valencia at right back and a welcome return of Chris Smalling and Rooney playing in a more deeper role with Giggs and Anderson.
The first half didn't see much activity with Braga hitting the post with De gea beaten and United just keeping things tight and the half just petered out. The second half livened up very quickly and Braga earned a penalty after Jonny Evans couldn't get out of the way and was deemed to block the Braga attacker and the resultant penalty by Alan was blasted high into the net past by De Gea. United had a battle on there hands and just when United needed intervention, the lights went out. A power failure saw a 10 minute delay and that on evidence of the rest of the game unsettle Braga.
United sent on the big guns with Rio on for Smalling and Van Persie for Welbeck. United had a lot more intensity but without breaking the door down. 10 minutes remaining a long ball by Giggs was latched onto by Van Persie and with the Braga keeper on walkabout Van Persie took one look and with the right height and power steered the ball into the net past the keeper and defender.
The game was poised and United looked the stronger team and 4 minutes later a loose ball was met by Rooney in the box and a foul given and a penalty, although it took a while for the decision to be given! Rooney stepped up after his penalty miss against Arsenal but scored this time although a slight slip and turf missing didn't hinder him.
Braga looked shell shocked and although they pushed on manfully a third goal was scored deep in injury time when a mix up in Braga defence saw Valencia cross into Rooney who delightfully flicked it to Hernandez who after a few attempts squeezed the ball into the net.
Following Galatasary win, United topped the group and qualified as group winners with 2 games remaining. A real positive statement and now United can put the Champions league to one side and concentrate on the Premiership.
As for man of the match, Wayne Rooney was the pick as he kept the tempo going and chipped in with a goal. After the light fiasco it was like the old United and they managed to pick there way through it and win. It will allow United to field less than strong teams for the remaining games and put all the efforts into dominating the premiership.
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