Chapter 26: Quiet Nights in Cluj

2 October 2012

UEFA Champions League – Group Stage, Matchday 2

Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu, Romania

CFR Cluj vs Manchester United

Romanian air bit colder than expected. The wind had teeth, and the away end was half full — a quiet night in Europe, or so it seemed.

But not for Alex.

He sat near the edge of the dugout, jacket zipped, legs bouncing, eyes locked on the pitch.

Two matches. Two goals. Four assists. And now this — his Champions League debut.

United had opened their group campaign with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against Galatasaray. A single goal from the veteran Michael Carrick, vintage in every way. The 

With the Premier League heating up and Liverpool and Spurs already behind them, Sir Alex rotated heavily. No Rooney. No Scholes. Van Persie started, flanked by Nani and Welbeck. Anderson and Fletcher patrolled midfield. Alex was on the bench again — but ready.

"Cluj won't give you a walk," Phelan warned in the presser. "They'll run all day and boot you for fun."

And they did.

The Romanian side, roared on by their modest but fiery home crowd, charged into the game like a team with something to prove. No stars. No fear. Just a pack of hard-running, tactically drilled players who clearly hadn't read the script.

From the kickoff, Cluj pressed like men possessed. Their midfield trio closed down Anderson and Fletcher with snarling urgency, forcing rushed passes and disrupting United's rhythm.

United looked surprised. Not panicked, but not settled either.

Every tackle from Cluj was met with a roar from the crowd. Every second ball was theirs. A few crunching challenges had United players checking their shins.

Commentator 1: "They're up for this, Cluj. You can't fake this kind of energy."

Commentator 2: "They're treating this like a cup final — and United look like they're treating it like a Tuesday night."

14th Minute — GOAL CFR Cluj

It began with a hopeful clearance — or so it seemed.

A Cluj centre-back launched a long ball from deep, high and arcing, aimed more at territory than a target. But it dipped awkwardly between Evans and Büttner. Confusion flickered for a moment.

Evans hesitated. Büttner slowed.

That was enough.

Cluj's striker, Pantelis Kapetanos, read the bounce like a poacher. He split the gap between the defenders and rose early, meeting the ball with a thunderous header from the edge of the box.

De Gea had come off his line, expecting a loose ball. But the header was perfect — not a looping effort, but a driven missile, bouncing right in front of him and crashing in at the near post.

GOAL! CLUJ 1 – 0 UNITED.

Commentator 1: "Would you believe it! A stunning header from Kapetanos, and Cluj have taken the lead!"

Commentator 2: "That's not a fluke. That's a striker who wanted it more. Evans and Büttner caught napping — and De Gea's beaten at the near post!"

The stadium erupted — fists in the air, scarves flung, stewards struggling to hold fans back as they slammed against the metal fencing.

Sir Alex didn't shout. He simply turned to his staff, calm but annoyed, and scribbled something into his notepad.

On the bench, Alex's eyes sharpened.

You never get gifts in Europe. You earn everything.

Sir Alex folded his arms but didn't flinch. He looked down the bench — but didn't move yet.

United responded with growing composure. One mistake had cost them, but the gulf in class was real.

The goal sparked life into United. No more coasting.

Fletcher began to drop deeper, collecting the ball from the centre-backs and spraying it out wide. Nani upped the tempo, dancing down the left wing and drawing fouls. Anderson, finally settling, started to turn in midfield with a bit more bite.

23rd Minute 

CLOSE!

A patient move began with Rafael and Cleverley combining on the right. The ball was worked centrally to Anderson, who drove forward with purpose, slipped a clever pass through the gap—

Van Persie, in behind, took it on the half-turn and rifled a left-footed shot from 18 yards.

It crashed off the crossbar.

Commentator 1: "Ohh! Inches away from an equaliser! That's a thunderbolt from Van Persie!"

Commentator 2: "The woodwork's still shaking. What a hit. Keeper rooted."

The rebound fell to Nani, who tried a volley—but it flew over the bar and into the away fans.

Frustration etched on his face.

Sir Alex clapped from the technical area, voice booming.

"More! That's better!"

United responded with growing composure.One mistake had cost them, but the gulf in class was real — and beginning to show.

The tempo rose. Anderson started pulling the strings, darting between Cluj's flat-footed midfielders. Nani kept hugging the touchline, forcing defenders to open up. Slowly, the Romanian side retreated, the wave of pressure swelling minute by minute.

41st Minute Rafael cut inside and laid it off to Cleverley at the top of the box. One touch, then a curling strike — inches wide.

Commentator 2: "They're knocking. The door's rattling now."

And then, finally, came the equaliser.

44th Minute

It started with a sharp pass from Anderson to Nani, who zipped it down the left wing.Welbeck sprinted to meet it, dragged his marker wide, and flicked a clever backheel into space.

Van Persie ghosted in behind.

Tight angle. Keeper charging. No hesitation.

The Dutchman let the ball bounce once and fired it across goal with the outside of his left foot — pure instinct, pure class.

The net rippled violently.

GOAL – UNITED 1, CLUJ 1.

Commentator 1: "That's why you bring Van Persie to Old Trafford! Ruthless finish from nothing!"

Commentator 2: "That's not a striker — that's a predator. One chance, one cut, and it's level."

Van Persie didn't celebrate wildly. Just a short fist pump, then a nod — as if to say about time.

Even Sir Alex allowed a small smile.

On the bench, Giggs grinned, nudging Alex with his elbow.

"Told you he'd need one chance."

The silence was immediate.

Van Persie's goal sucked the air out of the home fans like a punch to the ribs. A few Cluj supporters shouted encouragement, banging on the metal stands, but the energy had dipped. Their one-goal dream had lasted 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the tiny pocket of travelling United fans behind the away dugout roared into life — bouncing, scarves raised, limbs flying.

"Who are ya, who are ya!" they sang, taunting in rhythm, waving at the deflated Cluj faithful across the stadium.

Romanian children in replica shirts stood motionless, unsure whether to clap or cry.

A man in the front row turned to the person beside him and muttered in Romanian:

"You give someone like that a second, and it's over."

The cameras panned to Sir Alex, who stood at the edge of his box — arms folded, unmoved.

Business as usual.

Halftime – Manchester United Dressing Room

Inside the concrete walls of the away dressing room, steam rose from water bottles, and shirts clung to sweat-drenched torsos. The players settled onto benches, breathing hard but focused. Not rattled — just cold and wet.

Sir Alex stepped forward, clipboard under one arm, glasses perched low on his nose.

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.

"You see now, don't you?" he said, pacing. "One switch off, and they'll nick one. One moment of focus, and we nick one back. Simple game."

He pointed at Van Persie.

"Movement's sharp. More of that — Anderson, keep finding the channels."

Anderson nodded, towel draped over his neck.

"Nani — you've got him. Take him every time. Don't wait."

Nani grinned, nodding with eyes locked in.

Sir Alex turned toward the bench. His eyes met Alex's.

"You'll be on at some point. Keep warm. I want you attacking their left side. Stretch 'em, force them deep."

Alex nodded. He didn't speak — just pulled his jacket back on and tapped his boots against the floor.Heartbeat steady. Breath calm.

Champions League. No big deal.

CFR Cluj Dressing Room

The mood was tighter. No shouting. Just heavy breathing and the hiss of a slammed ice bag.

Ioan Andone, the Cluj manager, stood in front of his players, arms crossed, staring at the floor for a long beat. Then he looked up — face lined with both frustration and determination.

"You gave them thirty damn good minutes," he said, voice gravelly. "You ran like dogs. You pressed. You scored."

He tapped the whiteboard with a marker.

"But this is Manchester United. If you blink, they punish you."

He walked slowly along the benches, looking each player in the eye.

"They don't respect us. You saw that goal — they didn't even celebrate. You think they're afraid of us?"

Silence.

"Then make them afraid. Make them sweat. Stay compact, double the wings. Don't give their stars space to breathe."

He stopped in front of Kapetanos, who still looked furious about being left isolated after his goal.

"You'll get one more chance. Be ready."

Then he turned to the group.

"Listen… if we lose because they're better, so be it. But don't you dare walk out of here with regret. Not in front of your people."

A few players clapped softly. Others nodded. The belief wasn't gone — it just needed reminding.

The assistant coach raised his voice from the back:"Second half. Be bastards. In the right way."

Halftime: 1–1.

Substitution – 63rd Minute

Sir Alex leaned toward René Meulensteen.

"It's time. Get Marshall."

Alex stripped off the jacket, taped his fingers, and stepped onto the pitch with a focused breath.His first Champions League minutes.

Commentator 1: "And here comes the lad — Alexander Marshall. Fresh off the bench again."

Commentator 2: "He's turning into Sir Alex's wildcard."

Immediate Impact

United dominated possession now. Alex took his first touch and skipped past a Cluj midfielder like he was jogging in in the park.

He pinged a one-two with Anderson and floated wide, dragging the defence. His movement didn't scream for the ball — it whispered: trust me.

It worked.

70th Minute — he received a switch pass from Rafael, squared up the full-back, and chopped inside with his trademark move.

Then: a delicate clipped ball between the centre-back and full-back.

Van Persie darted in. One touch. Shot. Net.

GOAL – Manchester United. 2–1.

Commentator 1: "And it's Marshall again! That vision — we've seen it before, and we'll see it again.

"Commentator 2: "The weight on that pass was outrageous. That's an old soul's touch."

Van Persie pointed at him in the celebration.

"You're not bad, kid."

Final Nail

85th Minute

A counterattack. Anderson with the steal. Nani broke forward, squared it to Van Persie.

And the Dutchman completed his brace — powerful, clinical.

3–1. Full-time.

Post-Match

The United players walked off to light applause from the traveling fans. Alex held onto his match shirt for a second longer, before exchanging it with a Cluj youngster who looked like he'd just met his hero.

In the tunnel, Sir Alex passed by with a faint smile.

"You like Europe, son?"

Alex nodded, still catching his breath.

"Good," the manager said. "Because Europe's going to learn your name."

Post-Match – Tunnel Interview

The tunnel was a blur of camera flashes, tired footsteps, and multilingual chatter.

Alex wiped sweat from his brow with a towel draped around his neck, still in full kit. His cheeks were pink from the cold Romanian air. A BT Sport reporter caught up with him just before he stepped into the team bus area.

BT Sport Reporter smiling "Alex, your first Champions League away match, and you come off the bench with another assist. How are you feeling?"

Alex gave a modest shrug and a small grin.

Alex "Cold… and happy. Mostly happy."

Reporter laughs "Walk us through that assist — you really seemed to change the rhythm out there."

Alex looked down for a moment, thinking.

Alex "They were sitting deep, so I just tried to stretch them out wide. I saw Robin drifting toward the near post, and honestly… he makes it easy. You just put it in the right area and he'll finish it. He's different class."

Reporter "You've now got an assist in both the Premier League and Champions League — and you're only sixteen. What's been the biggest challenge so far?"

Alex Pauses "Not getting carried away, I think. Every match feels massive, but the standard's higher every time. I just try to keep up, listen to the senior lads, do my bit."

Reporter "Sir Alex Ferguson seems to trust you more and more — what's that relationship been like?"

Alex smiled a little more at that.

Alex "He's been brilliant. Firm, yeah — but fair. You learn just by being around him. I'm just trying to earn that trust every day. Hopefully I've not annoyed him yet."

Reporter grinning "And the away fans were singing your name tonight. Did you hear that?"

Alex's eyes lit up briefly.

Alex "Yeah. First time I've heard it away from home. That's… special. Makes you want to run that extra yard, you know?"

Reporter "Thanks, Alex — and congratulations again."

Alex "Cheers. See you soon."

He gave a polite nod, then disappeared through the doors, boots still untied, towel slung over his shoulder.

The screen cut back to the studio — already replaying his assist in slow motion.

On the team bus Alex decide to update on his instagram.

Instagram Post – @alexmarshall42

[Photo]: A slightly blurry locker room pic — players grinning, sweat-soaked, some shirtless, Van Persie holding the match ball with a smirk.Alex is front and center, grinning ear to ear, fingers up in a peace sign, arms draped around Cleverley and Nani.In the background, someone's spraying water, and Rooney photobombs with a goofy face.

Caption:"Three points. Three goals. One big team. Let's keep it going #UCLNights #ManUnited #BigVibesOnly"

Top Comments:

@mufc_lad4life: We're witnessing a star in the making. Let's go Alex!! 

@wazza_roo8: This team's cooking. That assist was chef's kiss.

@ClujFanHere: Respect from Romania. You were class tonight, kid.

@UnitedFaithful92: 16 and already delivering in Europe. Fergie's last wonderkid. 

@bexx_10: U can assist me anytime jk (unless??)

@GNev2: You're making me emotional, lad. Don't stop now.

Liked by: @rvp_20, @nani, @siralex_legend, @manchesterunited

[Well that's it for UCL night at Romania. Let me know if you have any suggestions in the comments] [Peace out, see you tomorrow]