Rooney: Who swears wins

REMEMBER the date: April 2, 2011.

This could just be the day when Wayne Rooney’s career transformed once again following his memorable hat-trick in east London.

Rooney could find himself in hot water with the FA after he swore at the cameras but the Manchester United striker will not care less if his three goals prove the key factor in helping his side win the title this season.

The England striker was clearly frustrated by all the criticism which has been aimed his way and may have wanted to get something off his chest when he completed his hat-trick and uttered an audible expletive which was heard by millions of people across the world.

There is no defending his actions as children look up to Rooney as a role model and he should have known better after upsetting England supporters last summer at the World Cup when he turned to a television camera and attacked them following a goalless draw with Algeria.

Rooney has not been the same player for a considerable period and many have started to question if all the hype surrounding his career was justified.

He failed to make any kind of impact for England at the World Cup and before Saturday’s encounter had only scored nine goals for Manchester United this season.

That is hardly the form of a player who is considered England’s best talent and caused so much controversy back in October when he wanted a move away from the club.

Of course, Rooney went back on his decision and signed a new five-year deal to stay at United. Many felt that would kick-start his campaign but he has been a shadow of the player who netted 34 goals last season.

We have seen glimpses of Rooney’s talent — few could forget that memorable over-head kick against Manchester City which won his side the derby game back in February.

But he has been second best to Dimitar Berbatov and even new arrival Javier Hernandez, who has netted 17 goals following his move to Old Trafford last summer.

Even though Alex Ferguson has been banished to the stands, you have to question if there has been some strong words between the pair over his poor run of form.

Whatever the outcome, Rooney has certainly responded and this could be just the tonic he needs to get his career back on track and regain the form which has made him such an exceptional talent.

Most teams would crack under the pressure after going two goals down. But try telling that to a United side who never seem to know when they are beaten and showed the true signs of champions.

It was an extra special day for Rooney, who took his tally to over 100 Premier League goals and knew the significance of his three strikes. Rooney said: “To score 100 league goals for Manchester United is a great achievement and something I am very proud of. I’m delighted and it was a massive comeback.’’

United midfielder Ryan Giggs has never doubted Rooney’s ability this season and feels he has been slowly getting back to his best over the last few weeks.

Giggs said: “I think he’s been excellent the last six weeks. He’s played just off the front and his goals were just brilliant.

“He was just brilliant and he’s capable of doing that, winning games single-handedly.’’

With Arsenal and Chelsea both dropping points on Saturday, the significance of the victory at Upton Park was even greater as United extended their lead at the top to seven points.

Ferguson’s side now switch their attentions to the Champions League quarter-final tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The United players will be brimming with confidence heading into that mouth-watering affair and Giggs is praying that Rooney can be at the top of his game once again and keep alive their hopes of winning the treble this season.

Giggs added: “You want all your players to be in good form, because it’s such a tough place to go, Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea are playing well as well.

“You want to go into that game in good form, both personally and as a team.’’

In stark contrast, West Ham’s fortunes are now hanging in the balance once again and you have to question how the manner of this defeat will affect the players in their remaining seven games.

After beating United 4-0 in the Carling Cup earlier in the season, Avram Grant must have wondered if it was going to be his day once again after two penalties from Mark Noble put his side in pole position in the first half.

But Rooney’s masterclass after the break completely turned the game around and his three goals inside 15 minutes broke the hearts of the West Ham players.

Grant said: “You have to keep playing football. But doing that alone, you can’t stay in the league.

“We are improving our quality a lot and did well in the last few games, so it will be a combination of mentality, strength and quality football and experience.’’