Don't Miss

India's CWG 2026 Medal Tally Lowest In 24 Years, Yet Among The Best

Tactical Self-Destruction: How England Threw Away Their World Cup Final Dream

Bundesliga Blueprint: How Zee Plans To Complete India's Football Jigsaw

Manuel Neuer Doesn't Know Where To Stop: Not On The Pitch, Not In His Career

Advertisement

ENG

Login

Dark / Light mode

Oct 10,2026 05:28 AM IST

Robin Van Persie double puts the bite on Cluj

facebook

twitter

WhatsApp

Settings

Select Language

Dark / Light mode

Search

Football

arrow-down reddit snapchat twitter facebook comments email printer search bell top-nav reddit-fill snapchat-fill twitter-fill facebook-fill share whatsapp-fill bookmark arrow-rgt arrow-next arrow-up refresh close link cog star book zap cricket football tennis formula-1 badminton hockey golf boxing ndtv-n check left-arrow right-arrow

Live Cricket Matches

India Matches

IPL 2026

Football Matches

ISL

EPL

All Matches

India Matches

EPL

Sports Home Football News Robin Van Persie double puts the bite on Cluj

Related Articles

Story ProgressBack to home

Robin Van Persie double puts the bite on Cluj

Robin van Persie put the bite on Romanian minnows CFR Cluj in Transylvania as the Manchester United striker's double clinched a 2-1 win in Champions League Group H on Tuesday.

Read Time: 3 min

Cluj-Napoca:

Robin van Persie put the bite on Romanian minnows CFR Cluj in Transylvania as the Manchester United striker's double clinched a 2-1 win in Champions League Group H on Tuesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side suffered an early fright in the region best known for providing the supposedly vampire-filled setting for Bram Stoker's Dracula.

But Pantelis Kapetanos's early goal for Cluj didn't suck the life out of United, who maintained their 100 percent start to this season's competition thanks to van Persie's brace.

United were rarely at their best at the Dr Constantin Radulescu Stadium, but Cluj ultimately lacked the quality to take advantage and Ferguson could take heart from the way van Persie and Wayne Rooney combined for both goals.

"The pass and the finish were equally good for Robin's second goal. It was a fantastic finish," Ferguson said.

"But they kept us under pressure and on edge because we didn't finish them off.

"To be fair we defended well apart from the goal. I've got to be pleased because Cluj have a good home record and coming away from home in Europe is never easy."

Ferguson's star strikers were starting together for the first time, with Javier Hernandez also included in an attacking line-up, as United looked to bounce back after Saturday's surprise 3-2 home defeat against Tottenham.

United's go for broke approach worked, but only after Cluj made a flying start.

The Romanian champions had won their opening game in Braga a fortnight ago thanks to two goals from Rafael Bastos and they showed no signs of being overawed by United in the early stages.

Ioan Andone's side gave a warning of their ability as Modou Sougou headed just wide from a Bastos corner.

United's defensive frailties have been clear for all to see this season, but it was still shocking to witness the ease with which Cluj sliced through the visitors' rearguard to take the lead in the 14th minute.

When Bastos flighted a long pass over the head of Patrice Evra, the United left-back's lack of pace was brutally exposed as Sougou surged clear before drilling over a low cross.

Even then the danger could still have been averted but Jonny Evans had taken up a position too far from Kapetanos and the Greece forward took full advantage to sweep his shot past David de Gea.

Rooney led United's response and the England striker's snap-shot forced Cluj goalkeeper Mario Felgueras to concede a corner with a sprawling save.

Anderson flashed a powerful effort narrowly wide moments later and, with Cluj fading as an attacking threat after Sougou went off injured, United's pressure paid off with a 29th minute equaliser.

While United could claim their dominance at that point deserved a reward, the actual goal had more than a hint of good fortune about it as van Persie mistimed his attempt to head goalwards from Rooney's free-kick, but still found the net as the ball looped over Felgueras off the Dutch forward's shoulder.

Van Persie had a chance to strike again before the break but his shot was well blocked by Felgueras.

The former Arsenal star didn't have to wait long to notch his second of the night as United took the lead four minutes into the second half.

Van Persie's first had been a little fortuitous, but the second bore all the hallmarks of the Dutchman's sublime talent.

Rooney was the creator once more as his lofted pass picked out van Persie's run and the United forward, noticing that Felgueras had advanced too far off his line, cleverly flicked the ball past the goalkeeper and into the unguarded net with the outside of his boot.

De Gea preserved United's advantage as he tipped over Cadu's powerful header from a Bastos cross.

Some Cluj fans took to directing green laser pens at United's players in a bid to distract them in the closing stages, but De Gea remained focused and produced an excellent stop to deny Bastos in stoppage-time.

Featured Video Of The Day

CWG 2026 Weightlifting Gold Medallist, Mirabai Chanu Get Hero's Welcome in Delhi

Topics mentioned in this article

Football Liverpool Cluj Arena

Get the Latest Cricket, Asian Games 2026, Football , Hockey, Badminton Scores, F1 Results at NDTV Sports. Like Us On Facebook Or Follow Us On Twitter For More Sports Updates. You Can Also Download The NDTV Cricket App For Android Or iOS.

Advertisement

Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com

Advertisement

Advertisement

Players - Top Goals

Player Matches Goals Haaland Haaland Manchester City 5 5 Isak Isak Liverpool 5 4 Groß Groß Brighton & Hove Albion 5 3 B. Fernandes B. Fernandes Manchester United 5 3 Marcus Tavernier Marcus Tavernier AFC Bournemouth 5 3

Player Matches Assists Groß Groß Brighton & Hove Albion 5 3 Daichi Daichi Crystal Palace 5 3 Gakpo Gakpo Liverpool 5 3 Semenyo Semenyo Manchester City 5 3 Francisco Evanilson Francisco Evanilson AFC Bournemouth 5 3

No Teams MP Goals GA 1 Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion 5 16 5 2 Manchester City Manchester City 5 13 5 3 Brentford Brentford 5 10 4 4 Chelsea Chelsea 5 10 12 5 Newcastle United Newcastle United 5 9 9

No Teams MP Goals Assists 1 Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion 5 16 11 2 Manchester City Manchester City 5 13 10 3 Chelsea Chelsea 5 10 9 4 Newcastle United Newcastle United 5 9 8 5 Arsenal Arsenal 5 8 6

Full Stats

Full Stats

Full Stats

Full Stats

Now Trending

Advertisement

Trending Links

Follow us on:

facebook

twitter

Cricket

Football

More Sports

Formula 1 Tennis Hockey Badminton Golf Nba Kabaddi Shooting Swimming Table Tennis

This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics © Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2026. All rights reserved.