Mike Phelan cited second-half changes for the reason behind United's late surge to victory in Braga. Trailing the Portuguese side by a single goal as the game was unexpectedly hit by floodlight failure, the Reds were forced into replacing the injured Jonny Evans with Rio Ferdinand, then introduced Robin van Persie in place of Danny Welbeck. An out-of-sorts display was forgotten after 80 minutes when the Dutchman levelled, before a Wayne Rooney penalty and Chicharito's close-range effort sealed an unlikely victory. "It is a little bit surprising that we have scored three goals here tonight," Phelan told journalists at the post-match press conference. "In the first half we were not really doing anything in the game other than keeping possession of the ball.
"Possibly with the way the evening panned out – with the lights going out and the heavy rain, and then us having to make a quick substitution, bringing Rio Ferdinand on – I think that changed things for us, with the tempo of our game going up. "Robin was instrumental in getting us further up the field. We played a little bit more in behind their midfield once Robin came on, and obviously he took his goal really well." A fourth straight Group H victory guarantees United's progress to the knockout stage as group winners, underlining an immaculate response to last season's disappointing relegation to the Europa League. "Our intention this year was to get into [the knockout phase] very quickly," Phelan said. "We were disappointing last year – the players and staff knew that, and I think the supporters wanted a reaction to that. "I think it was really important that we got into it quickly and we have done that – four games gone and we are more than happy with it." Sir Alex had admitted that early qualification would allow him some much-needed squad rotation in the final group games against Galatasaray and Cluj, but Phelan insists United will still respect the ramifications of those games for the remaining three sides in Group H."It does now give us that opportunity to have a look at a couple of other players on this stage, and I am sure we will do that," he said, "but we have to give credit to the competition as well. "And as Manchester United we will do that. But it was important we got the job done as quickly as possible, in order for us to concentrate on the Premier League."
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