MAN UNITED 2, VFL WOLFSBURG 1
Manchester United got their Champions League campaign up and running following their home victory against German side VIL Wolfsburg.
After losing their opening group B game at PSV Eindhoven, the heat was on the Reds who could ill afford a second defeat if they are to progress to the knockout phase.
It took grit and determination for the Reds to triumph after they fell behind early in the game before hitting back with goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling.
And with City also winning at Borussia Monchengladbach, the victories by the Manchester clubs helped restore pride to English football after a faltering start to their European campaigns.
Manager Louis van Gaal admitted United had luck on their side, especially with the penalty that gave them a foothold back into the game.
He said: “It was a lucky penalty I think. Of course it was a penalty, but there are some referees who would not whistle for such a foul.
“It was very difficult because they scored so early. Then we did very well and created a lot of chances. Rooney and Depay could have scored and you finish the game.
“We didn’t finish the game, and that is unlucky. You need that luck.
“In the first half I was pleased with my team that played very well, apart from the first four or five minutes.”
The Reds manager’s only concern was their inability to hold on to the ball in the second half, something that hasn’t been a problem this season.
Van Gaal pinpointed team spirit was key to the success and admitted the effort needed to win the game has left the players very tired after their hectic schedule of recent weeks.
United made one change from Saturday’s home leaguke win against Sunderland as Bastian Schweinsteiger replaced the injured Michael Carrick in midfield.
And they could not have made a worse start as Wolfsburg took a fourth minute lead when United’s defence was carved open by a slick passing move.
It ended with Max Kruse releasing Daniel Caligiuri who was played onside by Antonio Valancia as he smashed a shot past David De Gea.
United came close to equalising when Juan Mata’s exquisite shot looked to be arrowing towards the top corner until Brazilian defender Dante headed over the bar.
That was quickly followed by a drive from Anthony Martial that cleared the crossbar by inches.
Martial then produced trickery on the right before cutting the ball back to Rooney who blazed over from eight yards when he ought to have found the net.
Mata then teed up Memphis Depay whose diving header went straight to keeper Diego Benaglio.
United drew level after 34 minutes through a coolly taken Mata penalty after the Spaniard’s ball into the box was handed by Caligiuri as the goalscoring hero became a villain.
The goal, Mata’s first for United in the Champions League, brought Old Trafford to life as the atmosphere had been decidedly flat until the award of the spot kick.
Mata, who was involved in most of United’s attacking moves, then set up Depay whose fiercely struck low shot was saved by the legs of Benaglio.
United went ahead for the first time after 52 minutes and it was that man Mata who provided the assist with a delightful flick over the German defence for Smalling, who had stayed upfield following a corner, steered a shot low past keeper Benaglio, his 10th goal for the Reds and first of the season.
Wolfsburg pressed for an equaliser and Caligiuri brought a decent diving save from De Gea as it remained an absorbing contest.
And it was a sign of their intent that with 21 minutes left they threw on strikers Nicklas Bendtner, the former Arsenal man, and ex-Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle.
Schurrle almost immediately made his mark dragging a shot narrowly wide across the face of goal from six yards.
Bendtner then went close as a goalbound shot was blocked by substitute Phil Jones.
Wolfsburg had a chance to equalise late on when Ricardo Rodriguez sent a free kick over the defensive wall, but it flew just wide of the upright.