Rooney back in the groove

Manchester United 1 West Ham United 0

Rooney returned from a short spell on the sidelines with a knee injury to get his 10th goal of the season and in doing so make an attempt at backing up his manager’s claims that United are not a one-man team.

But he missed a late penalty that ensured a nervy finish to this FA Cup third-round replay.

Although he may not have done his chances of retaining penalty kick duties any good, Rooney worked tirelessly all evening and linked well with the midfield that included the evergreen Ryan Giggs who, at 39, remarkably dominated the centre for 90 minutes.

And manager Alex Ferguson said afterwards that the veteran would even play on another season.

“He will play for another year,” revealed the Scot. “There is no signs of tiredness, he has fantastic balance, there is a hunger there and he is an incredible human being.”

However, Giggs himself was non-committal on playing on.

“I don’t know. I’m just enjoying my football at the moment and we’ll see what the season brings.”

West Ham made six changes from their 3-0 defeat against Sunderland last weekend with a big London derby against QPR on Saturday obviously in mind, but unlike United they looked much weaker.

And following the game, manager Sam Allardyce wasted no time in pointing out what he believed was a clear penalty for his side waved away.

“There was no doubt whatsoever about the difference between Rafael’s handball and Jordan Spence’s. Jordan Spence plays for West Ham away against Manchester United and Rafael plays at home at Old Trafford.

“It’s got to be that simple when you see it. Phil Dowd was in the perfect position. Arm to ball, he pushes the ball away with his left arm. No penalty.

“Go the other end and the ball hits Jordan Spence’s hand. If you give one you have to give both. Simple as that.”

The Hammers best chance of an unlikely upset, made greater by the team selection, would have been to strike early but Ricardo Vaz Te wasted a chance in the eighth minute and just 60 seconds later United mercilessly punished them.

Rooney, in his first game since picking up a knee injury on Christmas Day in training, put United ahead.

Anderson played a low ball that sent Javier Hernandez free down the left and the Mexican unselfishly squared to Rooney who could not miss.

United’s other returning man, Nani, was denied a stunning goal in the 28th minute after a clever ball from Antonio Valencia set the Portuguese midfielder up for a volley which beat West Ham keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen but Daniel Potts got back to clear off the line.

On a poor surface, Rooney was certainly doing plenty of running in a bid to prove his match sharpness as he dropped deep to collect possession and play neat one-twos with Anderson and Ryan Giggs.

Just after the restart West Ham had shouts for that penalty but referee Phil Dowd waved away protests which Allardyce fumed about on the line.

To their credit, they battled gamely and decided their best — and only approach was to attack the hosts.

And it nearly paid dividends when Matty Taylor found himself in space in the area after Phil Jones failed to clear but his low ball was turned away by Rafael as Carlton Cole waited for a tap in.

Hernandez was given a great chance at the other end in the 67th minute when he stole the ball from Potts but the United frontman was closed down by Jaaskelainen.

With 12 minutes to go United were given the chance to seal the game when Jordan Spence blocked a cross from Giggs with his hand in the area.

The stage was set for Rooney to secure the win but he scuffed his shot over the bar, Rooney giving a demoralising look to the turf in the hope of something to blame.

Fortunately for him, his miss was not costly and United will face Fulham at home in the fourth round.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): Lindegaard 6; Rafael 7, Smalling 7, Jones 5, Buttner 6; Valencia 5, Anderson 7 (Carrick 67, 6), Giggs 8, Nani 5 (Scholes 77); Rooney 8, Hernandez 6.

WEST HAM (3-5-2): Jaaskelainen 6; Tomkins 6, Reid 5, Diarra 4; Spence 6, O’Neill 6, Diame 4 (Collison 65, 6), Taylor 6, Potts 6; Vaz Te 6 (Lee 78), C Cole 5 (Nolan 65, 6).

Referee: Phil Dowd 6