Well Wayne Rooney answered his critics in the best way possible with the winning goal in the Champions League vs CSKA Moscow last night. Most importantly however, for manager Louis Van Gaal and all those United fans watching was the way the team played overall.
Despite a scoreless first half and having to wait until the 79th minute for Rooney to break the dead-lock, United were must better than in recent games and carried an attacking threat throughout with Jesse Linguard again looking dangerous. After a period of solid pressure, the young United starlet topped off his game by providing a sweet cushioned, volleyed cross for Rooney’s headed winner which capped off a great team move. The move had started by Rojo chasing back and winning back the ball before he managed to get it to Michael Carrick who hit a sublime cross-field ball to Linguard who literally put it on a plate for Rooney who could not miss and did not.
Prior to the goal, United were approaching 4 games without scoring after failing to hit the back of the net vs Man City, Middlesbrough and Crystal Palace in recent times – something they have not done since the early nineties. Many United fans must have been biting their nails but the reds remained patient and most importantly kept a clean sheet thanks to a point blank save by De Gea on Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia when he was clean through and the subsequent block on the line by Chris Smalling as Doumbia smashed the rebound goalward. These saves proved decisive as after De Gea and Smalling’s heroics, United literally went up the other end and scored the winner one minute later.
In fairness to LVG he has United as tight as a drum in defence – they have the best goals against in the Premier League and they now sit on top of their Champions League group after 4 matches, a point above PSV Eindhoven. Wayne Rooney delivered a good performance in response to the recent calls for his benching as the Captain was involved in many good moves and looked much more comfortable on the ball than he has done lately and of course his goal was most timely. Based on the improvements seen in this game, the goals will surely come and if they maintain their stingy defence who knows how well United can do this season?