Restless Rooney a big hit with Fergie

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson believes there is a freshness and vitality to Wayne Rooney this season that ensures “he can never stand still” on the pitch.

A year ago it was a different story as Rooney was out of sorts, a slump in form compounded by lurid allegations in early September regarding his private life. Come mid-October, with just two goals to his name and just one of those for United, Rooney stunned everyone at Old Trafford when he stated he wanted to leave the club.

Two days later, and in a dramatic U-turn, Rooney pledged his future to the club by signing a new five-year contract. The start of the new year was effectively like turning over a new leaf for the 25-year-old as the goals began to flow again, scoring 14 in 26 appearances over the second half of the season.