Wayne
Rooney responded to Sir
Alex Ferguson ’s new book in the most mature and admirable fashion.
He wrote the headlines here. The Manchester United forward, who was
criticised in the memoirs of his former manager, performed superbly, forcing
Inigo Martinez’s own goal, and constantly driving David Moyes’ side forward,
and ever closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Ferguson’s tome engaged in so much skirmishing with his old players that it
came encased in a dust-up jacket. Those who felt the sharp point of the
Scot’s pen have reacted in various ways. Roy Keane bit back immediately from
the pundit’s chair, stating that Ferguson would not understand the concept
of loyalty. Mark Bosnich invited the author out to Australia so they could
discuss the book “face-to-face”. Rooney responded with the ball.
After raising question-marks about Rooney’s fitness and form, Ferguson
concluded his chapter on United’s No 10 with the hope that he would see some
great performances from the striker for the club in the future. He watched
him shine last night. Rooney has been playing well all season under David
Moyes, responding enthusiastically to the belief shown in him by Ferguson’s
successor, and to being restored to his favourite role, off a
centre-forward. His 28th birthday today finds him close to the peak of his
powers.
“Wayne was not playing well enough,’’ was Ferguson’s response on Tuesday to
why he omitted Rooney last season. “In the form he’s in now, do you think I
would drop him now? No chance.” Ferguson also added that he had not
considered signing Mesut Ozil in 2010, a move that Rooney had pleaded for,
because he wanted to pair Javier Hernandez with Rooney.
Moyes partnered them here in the absence of Robin van Persie with toe and
groin problems (but Moyes said the Dutchman should be fit for the weekend).
Rooney played off the Mexican, moving wide, dropping deep, invariably the
centre of attention wherever he roamed. The high tempo set by Rooney, United
scored within two minutes. After Patrice Evra forced Sociedad to relinquish
possession, Rooney cut in from the left, twisting past Carlos Martinez and
Mikel Gonzalez, before curling the ball past Claudio Bravo but against the
post. It would have been a special individual goal.
United still found reward from the move. As the ball rebounded across goal, Hernandez attempted to intervene but although he failed to make contact his mere presence brought a hurried response from Inigo Martinez. The centre-half tried to clear but managed only to steer the ball into his own net. As Hernandez was offside when Rooney shot, and had to be interfering with play as Inigo Martinez panicked, Sociedad had a legitimate grievance but their appeals were ignored by the Dutch officials.
United’s celebrations were led by Hernandez and Rooney. Up in the corner of Old Trafford where the East Stand meets the South Stand, the area given to away fans for Premier League was here inhabited by a “singing section” for United supporters. Whatever the need for a special singing area says about modern football, this trial was clearly a success.
Moyes backed the plan, saying that he wanted Old Trafford to develop an “incredibly intimidating” atmosphere as his team faced in parts of Europe and this singing area clearly helped. Even before the start, and certainly before Rooney’s spirit-lifting goal, the singing section was loud. They even challenged other parts of the ground to raise the decibel levels.
The players responded to the support. There was an intensity to the movements of Moyes’ players, a quick pressing of the Basques high up the pitch. Inevitably, Rooney was to the fore, closing down opposing defenders. United looked commanding for half-an-hour. They were winning challenges, hungrier for the ball than Sociedad. Michael Carrick hounded Antoine Griezmann into surrendering possession early on. Phil Jones twice cleared well from Alberto de la Bella crosses.
Antonio Valencia attacked with occasional menace down the right, linking with the overlapping Rafael. After United had taken the lead, Valencia played one ball to Rafael, whose cross was met first-time by Rooney. Bravo dropped to his left to push the ball away.
United were in control. For now. Rooney hooked a Valencia cross over and then
nutmegged David Zurutuza. Ryan Giggs went on one of those long runs down
memory lane, looking as if he was 19, not 39. But Sociedad were proving like
Ferguson’s book: hard to put down. David De Gea pushed over a strike from
Haris Seferovic. Griezmann’s free-kick struck the bar.
The Basques continued to gain in confidence, particularly in the second period when attacking the East Stand housing their fans. Jonny Evans almost sliced a cross past De Gea. De La Bella drilled a ball in from the left that clipped the post.
Moyes was now in his technical area, staring at his team. Chris Smalling had replaced Rafael, whose exuberance in the tackle threatened to stray into excess. United picked up their earlier pace again. Shinji Kagawa, who mixed some promising turns and darts with periods of quietness, crossed from the left but Jones’ header was straight at Bravo. Sociedad’s excellent keeper then saved a shot from Rooney and was relieved as Valencia’s shot passed him but found only the post. Midway through the second half, Valencia again found space, but this time cut the ball back to Kagawa, who surprisingly decided to take a touch, allowing Carlos Martinez to make a block.
United were sitting deep at times, inviting Sociedad on. A mistake by Giggs brought a free-kick chance for the visitors which Ruben Pardo failed to take. Rooney tried to settle the nerves with a lofted shot that Bravo claimed rather theatrically in the air.
By the final whistle, the singing section was extolling Rooney’s virtues, having praised everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to Nemanja Vidic and that long tribute to Eric Cantona. United head Group A with seven points, one clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 last night. United now travel to the Basque Country on Nov 5, hoping for fewer fireworks than contained in Ferguson’s book.
United still found reward from the move. As the ball rebounded across goal, Hernandez attempted to intervene but although he failed to make contact his mere presence brought a hurried response from Inigo Martinez. The centre-half tried to clear but managed only to steer the ball into his own net. As Hernandez was offside when Rooney shot, and had to be interfering with play as Inigo Martinez panicked, Sociedad had a legitimate grievance but their appeals were ignored by the Dutch officials.
United’s celebrations were led by Hernandez and Rooney. Up in the corner of Old Trafford where the East Stand meets the South Stand, the area given to away fans for Premier League was here inhabited by a “singing section” for United supporters. Whatever the need for a special singing area says about modern football, this trial was clearly a success.
Moyes backed the plan, saying that he wanted Old Trafford to develop an “incredibly intimidating” atmosphere as his team faced in parts of Europe and this singing area clearly helped. Even before the start, and certainly before Rooney’s spirit-lifting goal, the singing section was loud. They even challenged other parts of the ground to raise the decibel levels.
The players responded to the support. There was an intensity to the movements of Moyes’ players, a quick pressing of the Basques high up the pitch. Inevitably, Rooney was to the fore, closing down opposing defenders. United looked commanding for half-an-hour. They were winning challenges, hungrier for the ball than Sociedad. Michael Carrick hounded Antoine Griezmann into surrendering possession early on. Phil Jones twice cleared well from Alberto de la Bella crosses.
Antonio Valencia attacked with occasional menace down the right, linking with the overlapping Rafael. After United had taken the lead, Valencia played one ball to Rafael, whose cross was met first-time by Rooney. Bravo dropped to his left to push the ball away.
The Basques continued to gain in confidence, particularly in the second period when attacking the East Stand housing their fans. Jonny Evans almost sliced a cross past De Gea. De La Bella drilled a ball in from the left that clipped the post.
Moyes was now in his technical area, staring at his team. Chris Smalling had replaced Rafael, whose exuberance in the tackle threatened to stray into excess. United picked up their earlier pace again. Shinji Kagawa, who mixed some promising turns and darts with periods of quietness, crossed from the left but Jones’ header was straight at Bravo. Sociedad’s excellent keeper then saved a shot from Rooney and was relieved as Valencia’s shot passed him but found only the post. Midway through the second half, Valencia again found space, but this time cut the ball back to Kagawa, who surprisingly decided to take a touch, allowing Carlos Martinez to make a block.
United were sitting deep at times, inviting Sociedad on. A mistake by Giggs brought a free-kick chance for the visitors which Ruben Pardo failed to take. Rooney tried to settle the nerves with a lofted shot that Bravo claimed rather theatrically in the air.
By the final whistle, the singing section was extolling Rooney’s virtues, having praised everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to Nemanja Vidic and that long tribute to Eric Cantona. United head Group A with seven points, one clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0 last night. United now travel to the Basque Country on Nov 5, hoping for fewer fireworks than contained in Ferguson’s book.
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