Raider Rooney raises roof

OLD TRAFFORD has witnessed Champions League heroics, Premier League titles and countless trophy parades but it saved its loudest roar for last night when Wayne Rooney’s injury time goal sent Alex Ferguson’s side to the much-maligned Carling Cup final, bursting Manchester City’s expensively assembled bubble.

Rooney’s header in the 92nd minute, perfectly placed from a Ryan Giggs cross, completed an incredible semi-final tie for a 4-3 aggregate victory and underlined why Robert Mancini’s side still have a fight on their hands to overtake their neighbours no matter how much money is now rolling around at Eastlands.

And Rooney admitted afterwards that his 21st goal of the season was a relief after he missed a sitter in front of the posts with the score at 2-0.