Manchester United returned to the top of Group C with victory over Otelul Galati at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney.

United took the lead in the eighth minute after Valencia turned in Phil Jones' deflected cross.

The home side looked to be in total control as Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov went close in a first half dominated by United.

But they had David de Gea to thank after the United goalkeeper made a smart save from Ionut Neagu's shot and the second half brought an improved Galati performance.

Sir Alex Ferguson started Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov for the first time but the strike-force only lasted 11 minutes before Owen limped from the field.

With Rooney dropping into midfield and Owen's replacement Javier Hernandez partnering Berbatov, United's strikers were guilty of wasting a host of chances to extend their lead.

Romanian champions Galati grew in confidence the longer United's fragile lead remained and it was a nervy finish for Ferguson's men. But Cristian Sarghi deflected an 87th minute Rooney effort into his own goal to move United above Benfica.

Manchester United FC Wayne Rooney