Becks bows to reign of King Wayne
Rooney’s two goals in a 4-0 victory, both superbly taken, took his tally for the season to 30 and earned United a 7-2 aggregate victory in a tie that they dominated from start to finish, with Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher adding gloss to the scoreline.
The striker’s performance was so impressive, polished and full of quality that it was almost impossible to take your eyes off his every move, leaving Beckham on the bench a bystander.
United fans had to wait until the 64th minute to see Beckham and provided a resounding reception, even singing “Fergie, Fergie sign him up” as Beckham set foot on the hallowed turf for the first time since leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.
By that stage United were already 3-0 ahead and canny Alex Ferguson, never one to miss an opportunity for one-upmanship, still had a trump card to play. He waited just two minutes after Beckham’s arrival to take off Rooney, who had recovered from a knee injury to play in the game. Cue bigger and more raucous applause for the new king of Old Trafford.
Seconds later, Gary Neville – Beckham’s best mate and the man who has captained United to so many trophies in his friend’s absence – was also substituted. Cue yet another, even louder roar – they really know treat their heroes in this part of the world.
It was a night you sense could play a big part in United’s season which could still turn into another treble.
Funny, really, because it feels it has been quiet at Old Trafford recently. Arsenal have absorbed all the headlines on the pitch after their turnaround in fortunes while Chelsea, and John Terry and Ashley Cole in particular, have kept red-tops distracted off the field at Stamford Bridge. So perhaps it was time for United to take centre stage.
In truth, they had already guaranteed themselves top of the billing with a hugely impressive performance in the San Siro, winning the first leg 3-2 so, as Ferguson pointed out, a fast start and an early goal would leave his side firmly in the driving seat.
Ferguson’s players were obviously listening to his team talk because they replicated their manager’s vision in textbook fashion, starting quickly and creating early chances before Rooney struck with only 13 minutes on the clock to make it 4-2 on aggregate.
His perfectly-placed, perfectly-executed twisting, flashing header from a whistling Neville cross – one Beckham himself would have been proud of – meant United could sit back and allow Milan possession, safe in the knowledge their opponents needed to score at least three times.
It was an important goal, too, because although Rooney flashed an early shot wide and Nani had an effort saved, it was also clear that Milan were dangerous at the other end.
Ronaldinho really should have done better with a free header after a Milan free-kick was flicked on in error by Nani while Huntelaar was only inches away from reaching a Pirlo through-ball minutes later.
Once United were ahead, you always had the feeling they had the quality and the confidence to win the tie. There are signs this United side are about to come good in what Ferguson calls the business end of the season.
For the first time in some while, they were able to field a first-choice back four in a European tie, Ferdinand partnering Vidic in the middle with revitalised Neville and Evra at full-back.
Further forward Antonio Valencia is starting to understand what it means to be a winger at United while Scholes looks fit and on-form and Darren Fletcher, who arrowed a shot narrowly wide before half-time, seems to grow in stature with every big game.
If there was any doubt United’s progress in this competition it was wiped out a minute into the second half as Rooney grabbed the clincher.
This time Nani was the provider, with an audacious through-ball played with the outside of his right foot, and Rooney had the pace to reach it first and side foot it under keeper Abbiati.
The third goal arrived soon after in the 59th minute, Scholes neatly setting up Park for an instant finish across the keeper which wrapped up the game in style, although Fletcher’s diving header from a Rafael cross late on made it even sweeter.
The final moments of the match were memorable mostly for Beckham’s one-man mission to make a belated mark – and one stunning 20-yard volley which was tipped over the bar by Van der Sar. But whatever Beckham’s legacy in Manchester and however strong the feeling for him on the terraces there is only one real king of Old Trafford these days.
You don’t need me to tell you who.
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