Manchester United used experience, character and determination to comeback 2-1 win against a stingy VfL Wolfsburg side to go atop of Group B in the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men fell behind on a well-taken header by Edin Dzeko, which was against the run of play, but luck was on United's side when they drew level. Ryan Giggs’ free kick took a wicked deflection past Wolfsburg’s goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
United took the lead for good when Giggs found Michael Carrick at the top of the area, and the midfielder then powered a well-placed shot past the determined goalkeeper.
That goal extended United’s unbeaten streak in the Champions League at Old Trafford to 23 matches.
It was not always a walk in the park for United as Wolfsburg's striking duo of Dzeko and Grafite proved to be a real handful for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic all night.
Already on a caution, Vidic was a very lucky man to escape a second booking when he chopped down Dzeko.
Sub-Berb
United got off to a sluggish start, but that all changed when Dimitar Berbatov replaced Michael Owen who picked up a groin injury in the first half.
His passing, trickery and vision carved apart the Wolfsburg back four, and that something that United was missing before his introduction.
He was constantly probing up and down the wing, and the Bulgarian was unfortunate to pick up an assist when he put Carrick clean through on goal, but Benalgio did well to get down and save his effort.
Modest
Giggs has been scintillating form so far this season, and scored his 150th goal for United, which ranks him
His experience and leadership and the way he looks after himself makes him a modern marvel, and he needs to be mentioned in the same breath as George Best, Sir Bobby Charlton and Dennis Law.
He is already the most decorated player in the history of English football in terms of team honors achieved, and to think that last year was the only he was chosen as player of the year just goes to show that he is all about the team.
He has earned an astonishing 30 team medals with United (11 Premier League medals, four FA Cup medals, three League Cup medals, seven Community/Charity Shield medals, two Champions League medals, a UEFA Super Cup medal, an Intercontinental Cup medal and a FIFA Club World Cup medal).
Ratings
T. Kuszczak - 6, J. O’Shea - 7, R. Ferdinand - 6, N. Vidic - 5, P. Evra - 7, M. Carrick - 7, Anderson - 6, A. Valencia - 5 (D. Fletcher - 5), R. Giggs - 7, M. Owen - 4 (D. Berbatov - 8), W. Rooney - 6
Standings
1 - Manchester United 6 pts (+2)
2 - VfL Wolfsburg 3 pts (+1)
3 - CSKA Moscow 3 pts (-1)
4 - Besiktas 0 pts (-2)
Schedule
Oct. 21st - CSKA Moscow v Manchester United - Luzhniki Stadium
Oct. 21st - VfL Wolfsburg v Besiktas - Volkswagen Arena
Nov. 3rd - Manchester United v CSKA Moscow - Old Trafford
Nov. 3rd - Besiktas v VfL Wolfsburg - Besiktas Inönü
Nov. 25th - CSKA Moscow v VfL Wolfsburg - Luzhniki Stadium
Nov. 25th - Manchester United v Besiktas - Old Trafford
Dec. 8th - VfL Wolfsburg v Manchester United - Volkswagen Arena
Dec. 8th - Besiktas v CSKA Moscow - Besiktas Inönü
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