Report: United 3 Braga 2

well-taken second.

Sir Alex's side found themselves in the familiar position this term of needing to stage a comeback and, within five minutes, the deficit had been halved. Robin van Persie was up-ended after showing neat skill on the left but referee Milorad Mazic allowed the advantage with Shinji Kagawa in possession. The Japan international lofted across for Hernandez to stretch and head goalwards with Beto only able to help the ball over the line.

Carrying more threat, van Persie chested Rooney's chip and swivelled to power a drive wide and Hernandez was unable to convert a cross by the Dutch striker following another smooth link-up with Rooney, Beto this time scrambling the shot to safety.

Alan thumped a volley wide as he hunted a hat-trick but the hosts started showing greater purpose and a goal by Hernandez was wrongly ruled out with Kagawa unfairly flagged offside. Büttner was upset not to earn a penalty after clashing with Leandro Salino but Braga weathered the storm and finished the half in relative comfort with Viana hammering a speculative attempt over the bar.

Nani's introduction at the expense of Kagawa provided more sparkle down the right with Rooney switching to the opposite flank to facilitate a switch to 4-4-2. Beto was still largely untroubled, however, although he managed to beat away a van Persie free-kick from a difficult angle