The striker bagged a hat-trick as the Reds secured a
place in the Champions League proper, proving that he can thrive given
the service, but his season will not be defined here
This was a side looking short on ideas in attack, led by a man who had failed to score in almost five months. There were a few understandable concerns pre-match that Manchester United might get tripped up at the most inopportune of moments.
But Wayne Rooney rose to the occasion just when his team needed him. The club captain showed with his hat-trick in the 4-0 win at Club Brugge which sealed a Champions League group spot that he can still score goals when presented with the service he craves.
“I know I’m a finisher, and if I get chances I’ll score goals,” he insisted afterwards. “That’s what happened tonight. If I’m getting chances and not scoring, then it’s a different thing, but the chances I had I’ve taken.”
And there is certainly some weight in that, despite question marks remaining over his ability to work in confined spaces in tight games. Neither applied here. Brugge looked like a team wounded by their 3-1 first-leg defeat at Old Trafford last week, and appeared unsure whether to stick or twist early on. Once Rooney had bagged his first with a delicate chip from Memphis Depay’s inch-perfect through-ball the writing was on the wall.
The further United got in front, the more stretched the game became and the greater Rooney’s influence was always going to be. Brugge kept missing their chances, but the England striker kept taking his.
In truth Rooney is a level above this. It should be a surprise to nobody that he can take apart Club Brugge given the circumstances of the match and the spaces they were forced to leave. His season will be judged not by nights such as this one but by those to come against tougher opponents – opponents affording him less grass to play in.
But his performance and his goals have shown that he still has the finishing ability in his locker. In 2010-11 he delivered his best ever season thanks to the quality - and quantity - of his supply channels. Given such service again more goals could be on the cards, but Rooney also has room for improvement himself, as his manager told the press afterwards.
“I have given him always the confidence what a player needs, but I think Wayne has a very strong mentality and with his level he always shall come back as he proved this evening,” said Van Gaal.
“But also there’s still a long way for him and also for Manchester United. It’s not easy, but I’m very happy for him.”
The boss’ insistence that his men need to up their game is a reminder that this club needs to measure itself against a higher calibre of opponent before anyone can truly say that United are back at the very top level. And the same goes for Rooney.
This is still not a Manchester United side threatening to topple the kings of Europe. They have beaten Belgium’s second best side, not Barcelona in their pomp. Even Ander Herrera, who started for the first time this season and struck the fourth goal, struggled in the early moments. Van Gaal even admitted he was ready to substitute him after he lost possession regularly in the opening 20 minutes and made his way into the referee’s notebook for a foul on Victor Vazquez.
Javier Hernandez’s is a questionable case, too. The Tottenham target was brought on at 4-0 to allow him a moment in the spotlight but squandered his chance spectacularly. First he slipped as he looked to slot home a penalty won when Rooney’s cross was handled, then he blasted over from short range from an Ashley Young cross.
As one striker’s mood lifts, another's darkens.
There are plenty of reasons to be concerned about United’s form right now, but a 7-1 aggregate win will rightly be cherished. Defeat would have left them bereft of confidence and belief. Instead, they can look forward to Thursday’s draw with the promise of big European nights returning to Old Trafford.
: Rooney nets hat-trick as Red Devils qualify for Champions League){kind=link}
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