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Sir Alex relieved as United gain first win

Sir Alex Ferguson said the result was all-important after Manchester United FC earned a first win against an FC Oţelul Galaţi side whose effort could not be faulted by boss Dorinel Munteanu.

Sir Alex Ferguson gestures during the match against Oţelul
Sir Alex Ferguson gestures during the match against Oţelul ©Getty Images

Dorinel Munteanu, Oţelul coach
It is a totally undeserved defeat, taking into consideration the flow of the match. 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 Basel.

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.

Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager
They made it very difficult for us in the first half. In the second half we improved a great deal, Nani was terrific, Wayne Rooney came into the game. I'm satisfied with the result. It was a long night and we had to be patient and work our way through the game.

We didn't have enough penetration in the first half. Rooney was playing more in midfield in the first half, but he was more attacking in the second. He took the penalties calmly. The first one was probably the first time we got in behind them.

We won – that's the important thing. We said all along we needed to win our next two games, the double-header with Oţelul. Basel have to go to [Group C leaders] Benfica and that is not easy as we know. The important thing is we do our job at Old Trafford [on 2 November]. I've always said ten points is enough to get you through.

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