Rooney runs riot again

ALEX FERGUSON suggested on Tuesday that his side were coping admirably without Cristiano Ronaldo this season. If Wayne Rooney continues to play like he played here in this 5-0 victory, Ronaldo is likely to become little more than a footnote in the club’s recent history.

When he purchased Rooney from Everton five years ago, Ferguson can barely have dreamt he would transform into the talisman he has been this season and particularly in recent weeks.

The United manager called for others in his side to pick up the slack left by Ronaldo’s departure to Real Madrid and no player has responded more magnificently to that cause than 24-year-old Liverpudlian.