Manchester United's Anderson (right) vies for the ball against Otelul Galati's Gabriel Giurgiu during their Champions League Group C match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England, on Wednesday. United won, 2-0. Jon Super / Associated Press

Forward shines in new role as United makes short work of Otelul Galati, 2-0

MANCHESTER, England - Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the contribution of Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United talisman orchestrated a 2-0 Champions League victory over Otelul Galati from central midfield.

United's midfield injury crisis has deprived Ferguson of Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick, while Anderson and Darren Fletcher are finding their way back to fitness after long lay-offs.

The United casualty toll prompted Ferguson to withdraw Rooney from his attack at Old Trafford on Wednesday into a deep-lying midfield role - and the England star duly delivered a man-of-the-match performance.

Although Rooney was denied an 87th minute goal - his deflected shot was officially declared an own goal from Cristian Sarghi - Ferguson was delighted by the striker's assured performance.

"I think he was fantastic in the center of midfield," Ferguson said. "His awareness of people around him, his choice of passing was very good.

"He was our best player. He showed great awareness of that role. His selection of passes at times was very good. He showed great energy, determination. I think we've got a really great performance out of him tonight."

Ferguson played down suggestions Rooney may begin to feature regularly in United's midfield, admitting that hand had been forced by circumstance.

"We have got injuries and that's one of the reasons we played him there tonight. Anderson's just come back, he needed a game.

"Tom Cleverley is injured, Michael Carrick is injured, Darren Fletcher is coming back but it's probably better if he plays on Saturday. So Wayne was an option for us, and it was a good option because he's got all the qualities you need to be a center midfield player."

Rooney, meanwhile, was happy to slot into his unaccustomed position.

"I played there a lot when I was younger. You get a lot of the ball and you get to defend," he said.

"I've said before I'm a good enough footballer to play anywhere on the pitch. That's not being big-headed, I'm capable of doing that, so if the manager wants me to do that I can."

Ferguson, meanwhile, was looking forward to United's next Champions League game, against Portuguese side Benfica at Old Trafford in a fortnight.

United has regularly crossed swords with Benfica during its various European campaigns, most famously in the 1968 Wembley final which marked the club's first victory in the competition.

Agence France-Presse