Rooney had started at the tip of a diamond but it was Braga, all sinewy, savvy movement, who glittered for the opening 20 minutes. United, their defence in disarray, were caught cold within 90 seconds.
Hardly had the Stretford End begun to absorb the implications of a central-midfielder Michael Carrick at centre-half, than Braga came calling, clearly sensing the uncertainty in United's back-line. Ruben Amorim and Elderson began the move on the left, working the ball back to the assertive Hugo Viana, such an unfamiliar figure from the shadow of his £12?million Newcastle United self.
United failed to stop him and Viana lifted the ball across. Again United should have cleared. Instead, with little leadership in the centre of the rested Rio Ferdinand and injured Nemanja Vidic, United froze. Alan was too quick in mind and body for United's left-back, Alex Buttner, and the Brazilian headed in.
The United fans, slowly going through their songbook, seemed to linger over Jaap Stam's name with a certain poignancy. How they missed a commanding centre-back. Residents of the Stretford End then had ringside seats of further embarrassment. This time it was Carrick caught out. Eder turned him brilliantly, speeding towards the goal-line, then eluding Carrick again in a race into the box. The cutback was perfectly placed for Alan to shoot low past David De Gea.
This was a test of United's resilience, tests they usually respond to, the comeback beginning after 25 minutes through Hernàndez. Van Persie, materialising on the left, turned away from Leandro Salino and Alan, getting fouled and falling to earth. The Serbian referee, Milorad Mazic, played a good advantage as the ball was claimed by Kagawa, who crossed for Hernàndez to head home.
A sense of relief settled on Old Trafford. Van Persie and Rooney then combined beautifully, almost creating an equaliser but Hernàndez's flick was cleared. Buttner then took a tumble inelegantly on entering the box. But United were denied what looked a legitimate goal for Hernàndez by a poor offside call.
With Kagawa twisting his knee, Nani came on to the right and Rooney went left. Such was the congestion in the centre that United scavenged for hope out wide. On the hour, Rooney delivered a tempting cross that Hernàndez narrowly failed to make contact with. Two minutes later, Van Persie curled in a corner that clipped the back of the stooping Carrick and carried towards Jonny Evans. The Northern Ireland international missed with his first attempt but reacted well to poke the ball past Beto.
Hernàndez continued to command the attention. He then did brilliantly on the left, showing strength, determination and swift reactions. Buffeted by Nuno Coelho, Hernàndez leapt up, shrugged off Custodio's attempt to drag him back and darted into the middle, bending a pass into the path of Nani. The ball rose up sweetly and Nani caught it well enough but Beto saved.
Hernàndez 's outstanding work-rate was soon rewarded with a second goal 15 minutes from time. When Cleverley swept over a long cross from the right, a delivery that carried echoes of David Beckham in his pomp, Hernàndez had timed his run stealthily to score with an unstoppable header. On a big night for the Little Pea, the Mexican was then taken off by Ferguson, his rescue act complete, as Old Trafford stood in salute.
Match details
Man Utd: De Gea, Da Silva, Carrick, Evans, Buttner, Kagawa (Nani 46), Fletcher, Cleverley, Rooney, Hernandez (Giggs 79),van Persie. Subs: Johnstone, Ferdinand, Anderson, Young, Welbeck. Goals: Hernandez 25, Evans 62, Hernandez 75.
Braga: Beto, Leandro Salino, Nuno Andre, Paulo Vinicius, Elderson, Custodio, Hugo Viana, Ruben Amorim (Helder Barbosa 80), Alan (Mossoro 86), Ruben Micael (Ze Luis 88), Eder. Subs: Quim, Da Solva, Baiano, Anibal. Booked: Custodio, Elderson. Goals: Alan 2, 20.
Att: 73,195
Referee: M Mazic (Serbia).
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