Rooney double puts paid to Newcastle’s mini-revival

Man Utd 2 Newcastle 0

Rooney’s early double proved enough to hand Manchester United victory in a totally one-sided encounter to which the final scoreline bore no reflection.

However his manager Alex Ferguson jokingly scolded the striker by telling him afterwards: ‘I would have had a hat-trick’.

His best chance of a third came when he latched onto a stray Jean-Alain Boumsong header, rounded Magpies keeper Shay Given but somehow chipped his shot against the post.

Rooney claimed the effort would have gone in had it not brushed against Robbie Elliott, but the failure gave Ferguson an opportunity to indulge in a light-hearted exchange.

“How Wayne has not ended up with the match ball I do not know,” smiled Ferguson. “He missed an open goal there. He said his shot hit the defender, but I could never imagine myself missing that kind of chance.”

Ferguson’s assessment of his own abilities did not allow him to gloss over Rooney’s incredible display, which many believe to be the best he has produced since his £27 million switch from Everton 18 months ago.

“It was a marvellous performance,” he said. “He doesn’t just take chances, he creates opportunities for himself with his marvellous skill and tenacity. That marks him out as a very special player.”

Newcastle caretaker-boss Glenn Roeder could only agree, stating his belief the Magpies had been undone by a player who could eventually become the world’s best. “Wayne Rooney cannot yet have come anywhere near fulfilling his potential. In three or four years, there is every chance he could be number one in the world. Together with Thierry Henry, he is my favourite Premiership striker. I wish we had him.”

Newcastle were suffering their first defeat since Roeder replaced sacked Graeme Souness last month and their downfall was partly self-inflicted as Peter Ramage’s back-pass fell straight at Rooney’s feet, allowing the England man to beat Shay Given with an eighth-minute chip.

The goal provided Ferguson’s men with the impetus to push forward at every opportunity. A second arrived quickly when Rooney raced onto John O’Shea’s through-ball and rasped home a powerful drive.

After that, it was just a case of how many more they would get. As it turned out, the figure was none, despite piling up an incredible 28 shots, many of which should have ended up in the Newcastle net.

Once again, Ferguson left Ruud Van Nistelrooy on the bench, only calling on the prolific Dutchman with 15 minutes remaining. Ferguson’s problem is obvious. Van Nistelrooy provides an unmatched goal threat, although even he was guilty of one bad miss, but Louis Saha’s speed and strength brings a greater all-round potency to United’s attack.

There are many who feel van Nistelrooy will leave United in the summer if the situation does not change, although Ferguson believes the selection dilemma is a healthy one.

“I did not want to change a winning team,” said Ferguson. “There has been all this stupid talk in the media but the main question I have to answer is ‘does Louis deserve to play?’ I think he does. His scoring record has been good and he has developed a good combination with Wayne, so I am doing the right thing by him. Competition brings more out of players. It is a healthy situation for the football club.”

Opta Fact: It is the first time Manchester United have scored two goals at home in the Premiership this season.

Opta Fact: Scott Parker has won more than 100 tackles this season (more than any other Premiership player)

MAN UTD: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Brown, Silvestre (Evra 45), Ronaldo (van Nistelrooy 75), O’Shea, Giggs, Park, Rooney, Saha.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott, Babayaro, Solano (Dyer 65), Parker, Emre, N’Zogbia (Luque 81), Ameobi (Bowyer 45), Shearer.

Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).