Reds survive Euro scare

United 2, Wolfsburg 1

MANCHESTER United survived a scare against Germany’s Wolfsburg before finally defeating the Bundesliga champions 2-1 to maintain their 100-per-cent record in the Champions League.

It was far from a routine victory for the Reds, who found themselves behind in the second half after a performance which lacked its usual sparkle.

Indeed, for a while it looked as though United might slip to their first home defeat in Europe in 22 matches since AC Milan won at Old Trafford in 2005.

United dug themselves out of the hole they created for themselves with goals from 35-year-old Ryan Giggs - his landmark 150th career goal for the Reds - and Michael Carrick.

Sir Alex Ferguson took exception to a question that, despite recording eight straight victories, his side has yet to fire on all cylinders.

“I don’t know what will make you happy. I thought it was a marvellous performance from us,” was Ferguson’s reply.

Wolfsburg certainly asked more questions of United than most teams do at this stage of the competition, with 23-year-old Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko a continual threat to the Reds’ defence.

There were starts for keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, Anderson and Carrick in midfield while Michael Owen was preferred to Dimitar Berbatov as the strike partner for Wayne Rooney, who was making his 50th Champions League appearance.

Owen’s night had a premature end as he limped off after 20 minutes with a recurrence of a groin strain which had made him a pre-match doubt.

Chances were at a premium, though Antonio Valencia ought to have put United ahead midway through the half when he was put through by Berbatov, but he pulled his shot disappointingly wide.

Carrick was also denied by a brilliant block by keeper Diego Benaglio, who also did well to turn away Anderson’s goalbound effort early in the second period.

However, it was Wolfburg who stole ahead in the 56th minute when Dzeko climbed above Patrice Evra to head home a Makoto Hasebe cross from six yards.

That provided the jolt required to put an urgency into United’s play which was not evident for almost an hour.

There was a huge slice of fortune about their equaliser three minutes later when Giggs’ free kick took a wicked deflection off Ricardo Costa in the defensive wall and past the despairing dive of the wrong-footed Benaglio.

Carrick conjured a delightful winning goal 12 minutes from time when he curled in a majestic shot from the edge of the penalty area to round off a neat build-up involving Berbatov, Rooney and Giggs, who was singled out for praise from his manager.

Ferguson said: “The amazing thing about Ryan is that he continues to show an incredible youthfulness about his performances. It is as though he is just starting his career. It is a wonderful thing to see.”