Wednesday December 5, 2012 Group Stage: Group H Finished Old Trafford

Manchester United 0 - 1 CFR 1907 Cluj

  • Luís Alberto 56’

134 comments | Write your comment

  1. Champions League - Victory over United not enough for Cluj

    Champions League - Victory over United not enough for Cluj

    CFR Cluj bowed out of the Champions League with a famous 1-0 win at an under-strength Manchester United in Group H. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Manchester United
    • CFR 1907 Cluj
    • 90+5' FULL-TIME: Man Utd 0-1 Cluj. Luis Alberto's second-half stunner secures a famous win - but it's not enough for Cluj to progress.
    • 90+5' Sadly, it's all over in Braga and Cluj are OUT. It's the Europa League for them.
    • 90+4' Buttner's cross is easily claimed by the man of the match tonight, Felgueiras.
    • 90+3' Felgueiras booked for time wasting.
    • 90+2' Sougou replaced by Pantelis Kapetanos.
    • 90+1' Four minutes to be added.
    • 90' Poor tackle by Scholes.
    • 89' Buttner crosses but Felgueiras fists clear. Time running out for United.
    • 88' Galatasaray still leading. As it stands Cluj are OUT despite the scoreline.
    • 87' Lots of pressure on the Cluj goal now. A cross from the left falls for Hernandez but he fails to connect. Macheda was in a better position there.
    • 86' Darren Fletcher replaces Giggs.
    • 85' Super move down the right by United involving Giggs and Jones but the ball across the six yard box is well defended.
    • 84' Cluj are dropping deeper and deeper trying to protect this lead. A recipe for disaster? We'll see.
    • 83' Yilmaz on target again for Galatasaray in Portugal. Keep up-to-date with Braga v Galatasaray
    • 82' Well defended by Cluj - twice. United continue to press and Rooney's shot is easily saved by Felgueiras.
    • 81' Corner to United.
    • 80' It's looking like heartbreak for Cluj. Galatasaray have come from behind to lead in Braga.
    • 79' Giggs fires in a probing free-kick that Felgueiras pushes to safety.
    • 78' Rafael Bastos replaced by Vasile Maftei.
    • 78' Jones powers forward down the right and earns a free-kick in a dangerous position.
    • 77' United pressing but Cluj holding firm so far.
    • 76' Still 1-1 at Braga.
    • 75' Rooney looks for the run of Macheda but once again some bright keeping from Felgueiras.
    • 74' Frederico Macheda on for Powell.
    • 73' Jones combines well with Rooney but is superbly thwarted by the Cluj stopper. He's had a great game tonight.
    • 72' Scholes shoots from distance - well wide again.
    • 71' Pedro replaced by Matias Aguirregaray.
    • 70' The Mexican has scored three goals in his last three Champions League games. Champions League top scorers
    • 69' Hernandez has been quiet so far tonight but he's the type of player who can score a goal out of nothing.
    • 68' The game is finally back underway and United go in search of that equaliser.
    • 67' Pedro eventually gets back on his feet and endures a few boos from the United crowd.
    • 66' Pedro is still down and the Cluj players are unhappy with the referee for not stopping play.
    • 65' Pedro tumbles rather theatrically 30 yards from goal. No free-kick according to the referee and Giggs almost makes them pay. The Welshman fires in a low shot that is blocked.
    • 64' Cluj looking very comfortable at present. Surely it won't be long until Ferguson turns to his bench again.
    • 63' Powell in the wars tonight. He's suffering again after a clash of heads.
    • 62' Burak Yilmaz got Gala's leveller in Braga. His sixth in this season's CL. Check out the live matchcast of Braga v Galatasaray
    • 61' United have now trailed in 15 of their 23 matches this season - they have lost only five so far. Could this be number six?
    • 60' Another goal for the Turks and even a win here at Old Trafford would be academic for Cluj.
    • 59' Galatasaray have equalised at Braga. It's all happening in Group H now.
    • 58' That was Luis Alberto's first goal in the Champions League. Not a bad way to announce yourself to the competition. Not a bad stage to get it on either.
    • 57' That was some effort but poor play by Scholes to give the ball away in midfield.
    • 56' GOAL! 1-0 Cluj! A stunning 25 yarder from Luis Alberto. Right in the top corner. The shock is on.
    • 55' Muresan smashes in a shot from 35 yards out. Just over the top. Good effort.
    • 54' Powell curls a ball into the area for Rooney but the England striker underhits his low cross and Cluj escape.
    • 53' Cluj have had one or two decent siutations in the last couple of minutes but the final pass has been lacking. We need a goal here.
    • 52' Scholes on the volley from 25 yards - well blocked. The midfielder rolling back the years there!
    • 51' Did you know? Manchester United have won 26 and lost just one of their last 37 Champions League home games.
    • 50' Rooney steps up and curls a poor shot straight into the wall.
    • 49' Cadu brings down Powell on the edge of the area.
    • 49' United stroking the ball about at the back. No rush for them tonight.
    • 48' Alexander Buttner steps up to take a 30 yard free-kick... high, wide and handsome.
    • 47' Keep up-to-date with all of tonight’s action via our live multiplex – bringing you the very best moments from every single match in the Champions League. Check out the multiplex
    • 46' United restart the match.
    • 45+2' HALF-TIME: Man United 0-0 Cluj. A couple of chances for both sides but we're still awaiting the opener.
    • 45+1' Two minutes of added time.
    • 45' Pedro picks up the ball 30 yards out and fires in a shot that arrows just over.
    • 44' Cleverley replaced by Scholes. Looks like an injury has forced the youngster off.
    • 43' Paul Scholes is stripped and ready. Looks like an early change for United.
    • 42' United have definitely improved as the half has gone on. Powell and Welbeck have been impressive.
    • 41' A strong spell from United. Cluj lucky not to have conceded.
    • 40' But he should be picking the ball out of the net now. Smalling heading wide from six yards out. What a miss that was.
    • 39' And another top stop as the Cluj keeper's fingertips deny Rooney's clipped effort.
    • 38' Great save by Felgueiras to deny Welbeck from Rooney's corner.
    • 37' Neat flick by Welbeck sends Hernandez through but Felgueiras races off his line to deny the Mexican striker. Good goalkeeping.
    • 36' Camora sends over a high ball that Felice Piccolo meets with a tame header. Easy for de Gea.
    • 35' Another corner to Cluj. Can they make one of these count?
    • 34' Want to keep an eye on the other game in Group H? Check out the matchcast of Braga v Galatasaray
    • 33' UPDATE. Braga are beating Galatasaray. As it stands, Cluj will finish as runners-up.
    • 32' Giggs clips a hopeful 30 yard ball down the middle that is easily gobbled up by Felgueiras. It sums up the game so far.
    • 31' Cluj are level on seven points with Galatasaray although, with an inferior head-to-head record, they must achieve a better result at Old Trafford than the Turkish team manage in Braga if they are to leapfrog them into second place.
    • 30' Half an hour played and the game does have the feel of one that doesn't have everything riding on it. That may be the case for United but it's still all to play for, for Cluj.
    • 29' Muresan lines one up from 30 yards.... A wild attempt that flies way over the bar.
    • 28' Another interesting stat. United's defeat at Galatasaray on matchday five ended a run of 20 successive European games in which Sir Alex Ferguson's side had scored.
    • 27' Back up the other end and Cluj come close again with another deflected shot from Sougou.
    • 26' And again United come close. Jones volleyed back across goal and when Powell miscued his shot Smalling arrived to head over from six yards. Only the sight of the offside flag saves his blushes.
    • 25' Big opportunity for United. Welbeck pinches the ball and feeds Tom Cleverley but the midfielder hits his shot straight at the keeper when he was through on goal.
    • 24' Powell engineers some space on the left and cuts inside but drags his effort wide of the near post.
    • 23' Nervy moments for United. A succession of corners for the visitors almost leads to the opener as the home team's rearguard buckles under the first real spell of pressure.
    • 22' Huge chance for Cluj. Pedro feeds Modou Sougou who looks all set to score until a great block tackle by Scott Wootton denies him.
    • 21' Did you know? Luis Alberto has blocked more shots than any other player in the Champions League this season (10).
    • 20' Chance for Powell. Phil Jones' cross from the right is flapped at by the keeper but the ex-Crewe man sees his shot blocked by a defender.
    • 19' Powell is back on the pitch as Cluj look to build from the back.
    • 18' The game is back underway while Powell's treatment continues on the touchline. He looks set to return imminently.
    • 17' Time for another stat. Only Arsenal (62%) and Chelsea (60%) have hit the target with a higher percentage of shots than Man Utd (56%) in this season’s Champions League.
    • 16' Play delayed while Nick Powell receives treatment for a knock.
    • 15' This is Cluj's first ever visit to Man United. It's a massive occasion for them and it's been a solid start.
    • 14' Whatever the outcome tonight, CFR are guaranteed at least third place and UEFA Europa League qualification – meaning that for the first time they will be competing in Europe after Christmas.
    • 13' Cluj still feeling their way into the game. United playing like a side with no pressure on them.
    • 12' Did you know? Cluj have committed more fouls than any other team in the Champions League this season (90).
    • 11' A wild attempt by Rooney whistles high into the stand from 25 yards.
    • 10' Keep up-to-date with all of tonight’s action via our live multiplex – bringing you the very best moments from every single match in the Champions League. Check out our live multiplex
    • 9' United lucky not to be one down. A mistake by Chris Smalling gives Rui Pedro a sight of goal. His shot hits the knee of David de Gea and bounces back into play but there is no-one there to take advantage of what was some slack defending.
    • 8' Rooney finds space down the right once more but his cross is too deep and Mario Felgueiras easily gathers.
    • 7' Giggs teases a cross to the near post but Welbeck guides wide of target. A half chance for the striker.
    • 6' Hernandez shows some nice feet and plays in Rooney down the right. But the England man can't get his cross in. Corner ball.
    • 5' Gabriel Muresan drills the ball in low but it's easily hacked clear at the near post. Poor delivery.
    • 4' Free-kick to Cluj on the far right. Dangerous situation.
    • 3' STAT courtesy of UEFA: United have won all five previous encounters with Romanian opposition including their 2-1 comeback success in Cluj-Napoca in October against a CFR side under the tutelage of ex-boss Ioan Andone.
    • 2' Welbeck wins an early free-kick 40 yards out but Ryan Giggs' short pass is intercepted and Cluj survive an early scare.
    • 1' KICK OFF! Cluj get us underway.
    • 19.40 Tonight represents a chance for some of United's fringe players while for Cluj it could be one of the biggest night's in their history. It promises to be a decent 90 minutes of football and if you stay right here you won't miss a moment of significant action.
    • 19.35 Cluj warmed up for tonight's match with a 1-1 draw at CS Gaz Metan Medias while United won a seven-goal thriller at Reading.
    • 19.30 Elsewhere in Group H, second-placed Galatasaray are hoping to finish the job against bottom-placed Braga. The Portuguese side are playing for pride. Check out the live matchcast of Braga v Galatasaray
    • 19.20 Meanwhile Cluj boss, Paulo Sergio is hopeful his team can pull off a shock success in Manchester. He said: "Of course, everybody recognises the quality of Manchester United and what they have done over the years, but who knows if it will be our day or not. We know that in football everything is possible, and I'm sure if we played 10 or 15 games here we'd win one; hopefully that'll come here now, but you never know."
    • 19.10 Sir Alex Ferguson insists his team selection has nothing to do with the weekend’s encounter with title rivals Man City. He told his pre-match press conference: "Sunday is five days away but, at this moment in time, it feels like five months. Against Cluj, I’m picking a team without any thought of Manchester City. It’s a matter of who needs a game." Premier League table
    • 19.05 So what does tonight's match mean? Well, Manchester United have already guaranteed their place as Group H winners. CFR Cluj must better Galatasaray’s result in order to finish second and qualify for the next stage - otherwise they will play in the Europa League. Group H standings
    • 18.55 No real surprises in the United line-up. The Red Devils are already guaranteed top spot in Group H and face a huge Premier League showdown with neighbours Man City at the weekend. As a result, they have made 10 changes from the side which beat Reading 4-3 at the weekend. Wayne Rooney is the only survivor. Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck lead the line. Rui Pedro takes his place in attack for Cluj and has seven goals in his last six games.
    • 18.47 Confirmed teams – MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Buttner, Wootton, Cleverley, Giggs, Powell, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck…Subs: Lindegaard, Rafael, Young, Scholes, Fletcher, Vermijl, Macheda. /// CFR CLUJ: Felgueiras, Pinto, Piccolo, Cadu, Rada, Camora, Muresan, Bastos, Luis Alberto, Pedro, Sougou… Subs: Stancioiu, Sepsi, Maflei, Godemeche, Aguirregaray, Kapetanos, Bjelanovic.
    • 18.42 Good evening and welcome to our live matchcast of the Champions League Group H clash between Manchester United and CFR Cluj at Old Trafford.

  • Summary

    • 56' GOAL! 1-0 Cluj! A stunning 25 yarder from Luis Alberto. Right in the top corner. The shock is on.
    • 25' Big opportunity for United. Welbeck pinches the ball and feeds Tom Cleverley but the midfielder hits his shot straight at the keeper when he was through on goal.
    • 22' Huge chance for Cluj. Pedro feeds Modou Sougou who looks all set to score until a great block tackle by Scott Wootton denies him.
    • 18.47 Confirmed teams – MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Buttner, Wootton, Cleverley, Giggs, Powell, Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck…Subs: Lindegaard, Rafael, Young, Scholes, Fletcher, Vermijl, Macheda. /// CFR CLUJ: Felgueiras, Pinto, Piccolo, Cadu, Rada, Camora, Muresan, Bastos, Luis Alberto, Pedro, Sougou… Subs: Stancioiu, Sepsi, Maflei, Godemeche, Aguirregaray, Kapetanos, Bjelanovic.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5 6
      Defenders
      4.8 7
      4 6
      4.8 6
      5 6
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out45′ 4.7 6
      Substitution Out73′ 4.6 6
      Substitution Out86′ 5.4 6
      Strikers
      4.3 6
      6.5 5
      5.4 6
      Subs
      Substitution In45′ Yellow Card 4.7 6
      Substitution In86′ 2.6 5
      Substitution In73′ 4.1 5
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      Yellow Card 7.2 8
      Defenders
      6.7 7
      Yellow Card 6.5 7
      6.9 7
      6.8 7
      Midfielders
      Goal 7 8
      Substitution Out71′ 6.6 7
      7.1 7
      6.5 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out90′ 6.7 7
      Substitution Out79′ 6.6 7
      Subs
      Substitution In79′ 6.9 6
      Substitution In90′ 5.5 5
      Substitution In71′ 5.8 6

Comment 114 - 134 of 134

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. A truly shocking result for ManU to be beaten at their­ homeground in front of a massive partisan crowd against­ a Romanian team who didn't even qualify for the­ last 16. SAF stated he's happy with the result! -­ that's got to be extremely economical with the­ truth, no manager would say that losing at home to an­ almost unheard of team from Eastern Europe.

    From William, on Thu 6 Dec 15:53

  2. Whilst I agree the performance by the United side was­ well below par last night,I find the City supporters­ somewhat amusing as the previous night their first team­ where even more abject and pathetic failing to overcome­ Dortmands second eleven. They certainly have nothing­ to crow about after a miserable Champions league­ braking a couple of records in the process. The only­ English team never to win a game in the qualifying­ group stage and 2 having the lowest number of points 3­ ever recorded by an English club. However the­ results of these games have no bearing on the game at­ the United stadium on sunday. City will be without­ Torre who is suspended and possibly without a­ recognised right back with Da Silva a doubt also­ Milner Hopefully Vidic will be back to shore up­ United's leaky defence. I doubt it will be a high­ scoring game with a draw looking the favorite outcome.

    From Graham, on Thu 6 Dec 14:21

  3. Quite possibly the most embarrassing display from a­ group of players donning a Man U shirt. Have they no­ pride, have they forgotten who they are playing for,­ have they forgotten how to play football. They were­ rubbish, SAF should fine the lot of them.

    From Speedy, on Thu 6 Dec 10:32

  4. conceding too many goals,no imagination in­ midfield,vidic wont make any difference they were­ defending badly before his injury,SAF has lost it when­ chasing 1-0 down against norwich he took off valencia­ and chico and left on carrick? united were very lucky­ to be put in an easy group otherwise they would have­ followed city and chelsea,PS i'm utd through and­ through

    From Nidge, on Thu 6 Dec 9:24

  5. Just what you expect from #$%$.There is just one way­ down.

    From MAXINE, on Thu 6 Dec 9:14

  6. The players had disgusting attitude to the game. They­ insulted paying supporters with that display and are­ only an average team who deserve to win nothing. Its­ only because other teams around them are even more­ inept than they are which gives the their false lofty­ position. Paid too much. Poorly led. Low grade coaching­ and no ideas. These lot should donate their pay to the­ Salvation Army and publicly aplogise to the fans. Pains­ me to say it as a lifelong supporter but this team will­ count as one of the worst United teams ever. Liverpool­ are going to overtake your team SAF.

    From PED, on Thu 6 Dec 8:06

  7. congrats borat, you are a prophet - of doom.

    From Rich W, on Thu 6 Dec 4:38

  8. You 're all pulling your Pen Ises.

    From Dumping on the grumpies, on Thu 6 Dec 3:57

  9. Wellbeck never has and never will be good enough was at­ game and he was dire tried to be flash a few times but­ when you got no class it don't work,and we let­ berbatov go unbelievable

    From Edmond dantes, on Thu 6 Dec 2:15

  10. pants team, and they lost to a pants team

    From darren, on Thu 6 Dec 1:33

  11. welbeck is not a good players,when even England is­ playing that is where u will see him playing like the­ has the team on my head but at united he is nothing to­ write about,i wonder why he is still in united­ team,anyway i dont even bother myself if united win or­ not bcos is not a team u can trust anymore,is just­ average team

    From Steven, on Thu 6 Dec 1:27

  12. no need for man u fans lamenting now,current man u­ players are not the best and city will win man u on­ Sunday,mark my word,im a man u fan but united are­ nothing but just average team now,so dont put Ur hope­ on them or bet your money,bcos even the smallest team­ can beat united home or away,how much more city.

    From Steven, on Thu 6 Dec 1:14

  13. The Titanic is sinking, all rats leave the sinking­ ship.

    From Death Wish, on Thu 6 Dec 0:10

  14. richest team in world but players not even half the­ calibre of real madrid or barcelona ??? somebodys­ sellin dreams me thinks ???

    From PUBEliceNeb3, on Wed 5 Dec 23:58

  15. Fergie has to go, then fill his red nose with­ scotch,old git. get jose

    From cristian ronaldo, on Wed 5 Dec 23:52

  16. Does SAF own this team? He just does not care if he­ produces good results or not? It is time to show a host­ of these players the way out of Old Trafford, but the­ first to leave this team should be SAF. It is a shame­ that MANU is beaten by teams no one has ever heard of.­ Even when they do manage to win games, they do not­ convince anybody by their playstyle. I can hardly see­ MANU win against City on Sunday. They may be on top of­ the league table, there is too much to be desired of­ the football this team plays now. I will not be­ surprised if they are trashed on Sunday; no defence, no­ midfield and a less cohersive attack line. SAF may want­ to retire and retire MANU; God forbid!

    From mbah, on Wed 5 Dec 23:17

  17. Capt. Blue says he "couldn't care less if Old­ Trafford was full" YET he is the ONLY one to­ comment on it.

    From George, on Wed 5 Dec 22:58

  18. There are players currently playing for United who are­ an embarrassment - no self pride or respect for the­ badge. Why is Ferguson not seeing this???

    From dooty, on Wed 5 Dec 22:52

  19. Funny how Capt. Blue calls United supporters­ plastics,says he hasn't missed a home match in four­ years.How long is it since the Sheikh took over? about­ four years,so from that we can deduce that the Capt. is­ also a plastic supporter,only new to the game when the­ millions came.No doubt he will deny it,of course.

    From George, on Wed 5 Dec 22:52

  20. Meaningless game or not... the fans deserve better!

    From dooty, on Wed 5 Dec 22:48
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account