Otelul Galati vs. Manchester United: 5 Things We Learned from United's Win

Time-tested football cliché tells us that the result is the only thing that matters; that the performance is not really all that important; that grinding out a win is the stuff of champions.

This post is going to be full of those cliches.

Manchester United's foray into the land of Dracula on Tuesday night resulted in an undead performance by the English champions. The Red Devils labored and lumbered their way to a 2-0 win over Otelul Galati, the Romanian champions, in a match played more than 100 miles away from the host's actual home stadium.

Let the cliches begin.

United played poorly, again, but that wasn't important. What was important was the fact that United earned three points—their first full haul of the young Champions League season—despite playing poorly again.

Wait, there's more.

Not only did United win when playing below standard, the Red Devils showed they have the heart of champions by grinding out a tough result in Eastern Europe in a game that was immensely difficult to prepare for and concentrate on.

OK, so that's out of the way. Now, let's talk about what's up with Manchester United.

This is the same team that obliterated Arsenal, 8-2, in August—the same squad that swept aside all challengers through five matches in the Premiership. But it's also not.

In those heady days, United created chance after chance after chance after chance. Sir Alex Ferguson's squad countered with speed and precision, cutting apart helpless opponents who were caught with their hand in the proverbial cookie jar (though we doubt David De Gea would appreciate his penalty box being called that).

The difference? It's been a number of things, from injuries to form to smart opponents. Stoke showed it's possible to get a result against United. Basel nearly pulled off an upset. And now Otelul Galati showed that anyone—and we mean anyone—can play with them.

United earned three points Tuesday and will fancy its chances to progress through Group C after its home match against the same Otelul Galati squad in a fortnight's time. A pair of Wayne Rooney penalties did the trick this time, but against a team better than woeful Galati, this night could have turned disastrous.

But Ferguson's team will have to improve if it wants to make something of its season.

Nemanja Vidic Is Back…Well, Sorta

Nemanja Vidic came back from a long injury layoff Tuesday night, but based on his performance, "back" is a relative term.

Vidic looked a shadow of his normal self against Otelul Galati, a team that would struggle to strike fear in the hearts of a Championship side. He was generally off the pace and he gave away possession in a very dangerous spot in the first half.

He also got sent off for a challenge in the second half, but that was a harsh decision from a referee who overreacted while trying to assert his authority on the game.

Vidic didn't play well Tuesday, but his presence has to be a welcome sight for United fans.

United Failed One Test

Playing these kinds of matches reveals the character of players.

Think about it: This is a match United had won before it stepped into the stadium. Otelul Galati had no chance unless United handed over a win gift-wrapped in silver paper.

It nearly happened because, for the most part, United's players didn't take their challenge seriously; at least that's how it seemed.

Wayne Rooney hustled for every ball and dropped back into the midfield in an attempt to create chances. Nani dazzled with his wizardly dribbling and nearly scored with a late shot.

Besides that, nobody in a United shirt played well. And nobody looked interested, either.

That's a shame, considering United's players make exponentially higher salaries than their less illustrious opponents on Tuesday.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will be happy with the points, but unhappy with the performance.

United Struggles When Forced to Change Tactics

Manchester United's favorite tactic is the counter attack.

The Red Devils love to sit back and let opponents attack their goal—because it leaves gaping holes to exploit with lightning-quick counters.

That strategy was fatally flawed against Otelul Galati for a simple reason: Galati isn't good enough to attack United consistently.

That mean United held the ball more than 70 percent of the time and had to create chances through old-fashioned build-up.

It didn't work. At all.

United only scored when Rooney converted from the spot. Fortunately for them, it happened twice.

What would they have done without Otelul Galati's fouling?

Liviu Antal Can Play Some Football

Liviu Antal is a 22-year-old midfielder for Otelul Galati.

If he plays more games like he did Tuesday against Manchester United, he shouldn't be in Romania much longer.

Antal gave United's defense problems all night and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions. He never found the net but he did create enough havoc to keep United's defense worried.

Here's betting a few European clubs took notice.

United Still Can Kill off a Game

Yep, United can still kill off a game with the best of 'em.

But who would have thought that would be necessary against Otelul friggin' Galati?

After Rooney's opening goal, Alex Ferguson made a pair of defensive-minded substitutions. The intent was clear: Ferguson wanted to protect United's slim, precious one-goal lead.

With his team playing the way it was, can you really blame Fergie?

United ended up scoring again in stoppage time thanks to another Rooney penalty. But for a spell, it looked like negative tactics would be needed to kill off the match as a spectacle.

As usual, Ferguson's squad proved up to the challenge.