Soccer:Wayne Rooney's two second half penalties gave Manchester United a 2-0 win, their first in this season's Champions League and also provided a notable personal milestone as he became the all-time leading English scorer in the tournament when converting his first effort.

Last year’s beaten finalists produced a sloppy performance against a limited Otelul Galati but prevailed in the Romanian capital. They also lost their captain Nemanja Vidic, playing his first game for the club since August following injury, when he was sent off, albeit harshly less than a minute after the visitors had taken the lead.

Rooney was one of nine changes to the United starting line-up from the weekend. Anders Lindegaard took over from David de Gea, as only Chris Smalling and Patrice Evra kept their places from the draw at Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson packed his bench with forwards, knowing his side needed a win after drawing their opening two matches in Group C, although United’s opponents, without a point so far, were not expected to put up too much resistance. United’s players were treated to two bizarre sights as they made their way onto the pitch that will host this season’s Europa League final.

Firstly, the 55,000-capacity stadium was barely half full, which never happens for one of their games. Secondly, the majority of those who had come — from as far afield as Bulgaria and Moldova — were supporting the visitors.

Nani’s delicate pass on the edge of the area split Rooney and Javier Hernandez and then Fabio failed to find a team-mate as he floated a cross into the penalty area. Anderson embarked on a midfield charge but also gave the ball away, which was a recurring theme throughout the opening 10 minutes, when United were well on top.

It took a last ditch tackle from Cornel Rapa to prevent Patrice Evra charging onto a pass Nani rolled invitingly into the penalty area. Vidic gave the ball away needlessly on the edge of the area to Bratislav Punosevac, but he fired a first-time effort straight at Lindegaard.

Anderson drilled a shot wide from 25 yards at the other end, before Nani hobbled away from a collision with Rapa. Punosevac created another opportunity for himself as Otelul began to grow in confidence, although again, Lindegaard was not tested.

United were making far too many unforced errors and were fortunate the ball bounced their way when Lindegaard smashed his clearance straight at Vidic. Rooney had been quiet for almost half an hour but a goal bound shot may have threatened had it not hit Giurgiu.

The England striker did bring a save out of Branko Grahovac shortly afterwards with a curling free-kick the keeper pushed away from his near post. Evra dashed forward and brought a low save out of Grahovac, then Fabio had to get himself out of trouble after diving in on Sorin Frunza.

United finally created a clear-cut opening four minutes before the break when Nani laid a pass off to Michael Carrick, only for the midfielder to blaze over.

United supporters went through contrasting emotions in the space of two second half minutes. Released down the United left on 64 minutes, Rooney attempt to find Hernandez was thwarted by a clear handball by Costin, who was fortunate not to get himself sent off.

Rooney made no mistake with the spot-kick to become the highest scoring Englishman in Champions League history. Suddenly it was all action, and when Vidic raced in to challenge Giurgiu as referee Felix Brych decided there was an element of danger about the tackle and promptly showed a red card to the Serbian.

The home side were also reduced to 10 men, Perendija sent off, and then to round off a memorable night Rooney converted a second penalty when he himself was tripped inside the box to guarantee the victory.

Otelul Galati:Grahovac, Rapa, Costin, Perendija, Salageanu, Neagu, Filip, Giurgiu, Antal, Punosevac, Frunza. Subs: Branet, Skubic, Iorga, Ilie, Sarghi, Pena, Viglianti.

Man Utd:Lindegaard, Fabio Da Silva, Vidic, Smalling, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez. Subs: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Owen, Berbatov, Welbeck, Fletcher.

Referee:Felix Brych (Germany)