Rooney makes Moyes’ night

Man Utd 4 Bayer Leverkusen 2

Rooney, who not so long ago appeared to be determined to leave Old Trafford, added to the goal he scored against Crystal Palace at the weekend with two well-taken strikes that will no doubt bring a new contract another step nearer and increase United’s determination to keep him out of the hands of Premier League rivals Chelsea.

A spectacular goal from Robin van Persie and a late strike from Antonio Valencia also played an important part in a morale-boosting victory; but it was Rooney’s contribution, which saw him given a standing ovation when substituted with six minutes to go, that caught the eye and will no doubt make the headlines.

It was a vital result for Moyes, too, because one of the biggest doubts overhis appointment as Alex Ferguson’s replacement was his lack of experience in the Champions League;in fact until today he had never even managed a game in the group stage afterEverton wasted their only opportunity of doing so by losing in a qualifying fixture.

So although the Scotsman has fitted in well at Old Trafford — he wears the suit well, he handles the media well, he looksunflustered by the pressure — his European debut was always going to be heavily scrutinised by those who fear he lacks the tactical nous and depth of experience to bring United silverware inEurope.

The truth is the Champions League is different; it requires a different approach, different formations, different tactics, perhaps even different personnel; something Ferguson took years to learn when you consider his first European Cup didn’t arrive for 13 years. Moyes admits his only learning so far has come form watching the tournament on television — and from attending the final at Wembley last season; and he almost seemed to set the scene for a low-key approach in his programme notes.

“I believe this is a competition you grow into,” he said. “You’ve got to play well in the early games to get through the group stage but improving as you go along is important.”

His players gave him a positive start against Leverkusen, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season, starting the match at a high pace and scoring the all-important opening goal when Patrice Evra crossed perfectly fromthe left for Rooney to continue hisrecovery by side-footing an excellent finish into the ground and high into the net after 21 minutes, with Valencia standing in front of the keeper in an offside position.

It eventually led to a comfortable victory but there is still plenty ofimprovement to be made; for a start, Moyes’ rather old-fashioned 4-4-2 formation doesn’t provide the percentage of possession Old Trafford fans are used to.

Marouane Fellaini did well enough in a holding role alongside Michael Carrick on this occasion; but the pace of the passing was slow and there remains a lack of creativity behind the strikers.

Despite the scoreline Leverkusen were never out of contention; and when Rooney missed a wonderfulopportunity to make it 2-0, rounding the goalkeeper and then firing wide, they stunned Old Trafford with acurling equaliser from Simon Rolfes.

Moyes’ head was in his hands; but thankfully he can still rely on Van Persie to provide something special. The Dutchman’s hanging volley from a high Valencia cut-back in the 59th minute was simply stunning.

It could have been 2-2 if Rolfes had not fired straight at a relieved David De Gea; but almost instantly United broke and Rooney, running free of the Leverkusen defence once more, this time finished coolly to provide his manager with the start he really needed.

Valencia then drilled in a fourth, and although Leverkusen scrambled in a reply for 4-2 it was the result rather than the performance that really mattered for Moyes.

The new man can be very satisfied indeed with the way he has started; and his refusal to even countenance the sale of Rooney, which seemed a brave position to take, now looks very wise indeed.

MAN UNITED: De Gea 7, Smalling 6, Ferdinand 6, Vidic 6, Evra 7, Valencia 7, Carrick 6, Fellaini 6 (Cleverley 80), Kagawa 5 (Young 70), Rooney 8 (Hernandez 84), van Persie 7. Subs: Lindegaard, Evans, Anderson, Fabio Da Silva.

BAYER LEVERKUSEN: Leno 6, Donati 6, Spahic 6, Toprak 7, Boenisch 6, Can 6, Reinartz 7, Rolfes 7, Sam 6 (Kruse 78), Kiessling 6 (Derdiyok 78), Son 6 (Bender 64). Subs: Palop, Wollscheid, Hilbert, Oztunali.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia).