Wayne Rooney seeks to improve form despite Manchester United scoring run

The Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has admitted he is not happy with his form despite closing in on his best-ever scoring return.

Rooney’s double in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford took his goal tally to 31, just three fewer than his personal best haul from two seasons ago. In addition, the 26-year-old will equal the feat of legendary winger George Best the next time he finds the net for United, which will be his 179th Manchester United goal.

With Sir Alex Ferguson’s men once again five points clear at the Premier League summit, and only four games to go, it would appear everything in Rooney’s garden is rosy. Yet it seems that is not the case.

Immediately after Sunday’s one-sided contest, Ferguson claimed Rooney was guilty of being too casual. And, although the striker did not appear to be impressed at being replaced by Dimitar Berbatov straight after his second goal, Rooney accepts his form is not good.

“It was nice to score two goals but I didn’t think my performance was good enough,” he said. “The rest of my play wasn’t great. I am disappointed with that and I will be working hard to put it right.”

Rooney’s form will be a worry to whoever ends up replacing Fabio Capello as England manager, considering the striker will still be a central figure at Euro 2012 even though he will miss the group games against France and Sweden because of suspension.

United appear to have found a way of coping with any lapses. And, at this stage of the season, results are obviously more important than performances, offering Rooney an additional incentive to match Best’s scoring feats.

“It would be great to equal that record and, hopefully, surpass it,” he said. “I would be proud of that achievement but I can’t really look at it just at the minute.

“If it happens then great but it’s the points that are important at this time of the year and if I can score the goals that get those points then I will be pleased.”

On the back of a surprise defeat at Wigan Athletic last week and with their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to two points by a Manchester City side that has bounced back from their horror show at Arsenal by scoring 10 times in two matches, United could not have had picked better opponents than Villa.

Although the ailing Midlands club were at best a sporadic threat, they failed to apply any meaningful pressure on the home goal, allowing United to saunter home, in the process keeping their sixth clean sheet in seven games as they have hit their best defensive form just when it matters the most. “Obviously, we were disappointed with our performance against Wigan but we had a chance to get that out of our system and keep that distance between us and Manchester City,” Rooney said. “It was a big game for us and we deserved to win.”

The theatrics of Ashley Young may not be winning many friends outside of Old Trafford but – as against Queen’s Park Rangers a week earlier – it could be accurately claimed there was contact with a defender prior to a dive that brought a penalty.

United can only hope increasingly wary officials do not deny them against Rooney’s former club Everton, the visitors to Old Trafford next Sunday, their first game since the gut-wrenching FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool.

Victory then – and Everton have not beaten United away from home since 1992 – would set up a derby-day meeting with City on 30 April that offers the chance to seal a record 20th league title.

Celebrating at the Etihad Stadium would add an additional edge to inter-city rivalries, although Rooney accepts there is some work in front of his team-mates yet.

“A month or six weeks ago, if somebody had told me that we would be five points clear at this stage of the season I would have been delighted,” said Rooney. “Next week against Everton is another massive game for us. We need to get three points there to make it an interesting night against Manchester City.”

WAYNE ROONEY RELISHES CITY DUEL

WAYNE ROONEY is loving slugging it out with Manchester City for the title.

While most United fans would rather not see the rise of the blue side of Manchester, Rooney (left) is relishing the competition.

With usual rivals Chelsea and Arsenal floundering, the Reds would be coasting to the crown but for City’s emergence as genuine rivals.

Rooney said: “I think it is going to be nip and tuck from here on in. It’s brilliant for the neutrals.

“We’re in a good position and are playing the best football we have played all season at the moment.

“I think that gives us the edge over City, the fact we are playing so well.”

Man U won’t panic over title chase – Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has assured fans of Machester United that the English Premiership side will not panic as the race towards the Premier League title heads to crunch time.
Rooney told Inside United on Thursday that Manchester have the nerve and, most importantly, the experience to ensure the panic button need never be pushed.
After producing an inspired second-half display to come back from three goals down at Chelsea last month, the Reds held out to earn a crucial 2-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford and, last weekend, turned one point into three at Carrow Road with a dramatic late winner.
With 22 goals in 29 appearances this season, Rooney admits that in the past an air of panic may have set in during desperate situations. But he says the experience he and many of his team-mates have picked up in recent years has taught the squad never to lose hope.
“When I was a young lad and first at the club we might have been losing a game 1-0 or 2-1 and I’d have been saying ‘just put the ball in the box’ and panicking a bit about losing the game,” he told Inside United.
“Now I’m older and more experienced you know to just keep playing your game because there’s always a chance you’ll get an opportunity to score. I think that comes from playing so many games and the experience you pick up along the way.”
Rooney says preparing properly for every game is particularly important at this stage of the campaign, while staying mentally strong is just as vital.
“It’s important to manage yourself and how your body feels,” he explains. “Training is less intense when there are lots of games and you might take things a bit easier one day because you’re managing how your legs are.
“The training intensity probably goes down (in the final stages of the season) because the matches come thick and fast and you have to make sure you’re right for the games.
“You know you have to be strong mentally to play at your best. We just need to keep focused, keep working hard and hopefully we’ll get our rewards,” he adds.

Rooney backs Fergie to give United the edge

Wayne Rooney is certain Sir Alex Ferguson will help swing the Premier League title race Manchester United’s way.

Another of those amazing last-gasp winners at Norwich yesterday kept United two points adrift of leaders Manchester City heading into the final 12 games of the campaign.

It is a period of the season Ferguson famously described as “squeaky bum time” due to the high levels of pressure that are placed on the competing teams.

Yet it is also the time when United’s long-serving boss is at his best.

“He is a great manager,” Rooney told

“He knows which players he can speak to and which players he can shout at, if he needs to.

“He knows how the players react and how to get the best out of them. That’s important especially in this day and age.

“His mentality for the game, his commitment and desire are obviously things that the players try and take on themselves.

“For me personally, he’s been brilliant. He is a great leader for our team.”

Rooney missed yesterday’s game with a throat infection that has also ruled him out of England’s midweek friendly with Holland.

Given United visit title rivals Tottenham next Sunday, his club would probably view the international absence as a good thing as they try to oust City from top spot and close in on their 20th championship success.

“We are only a couple of points behind and we have a lot of games to go,” he said.

“We are confident that we can push on now, and start being a bit more consistent towards the end of the season.”

And, from a personal perspective, Rooney wants to maintain his own level of contribution, having made light of his frequent appearances in midfield earlier this season to score 19 goals, only 15 adrift of his best ever tally in 2010.

“It’s been one of my best goal-scoring seasons,” he said.

“Hopefully I can kick on and score a lot more towards the end.”

Rooney out of Ajax match

England striker Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United’s Europa League match against Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday with a throat infection, Sir Alex Ferguson said Wednesday.

United lead the last 32 tie 2-0 after a first leg win in Amsterdam last week.

Given that advantage, United manager Ferguson may well have rested even a fit Rooney, with Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao waiting for the English champions in the next round.

Teenage French midfielder Paul Pogba could feature against Ajax, although it seems the 18-year-old is more likely to be among the substitutes than handed a starting role.

“It is possible we could give Pogba a run-out,” said Ferguson. “It depends because there are a lot of players who need a game; Nani, (Ashley) Young, (Javier) Hernandez, (Tom) Cleverley, (Chris) Smalling, (Phil) Jones.

“Those players will all play tomorrow (Thursday) and we hope to put a sprinkling of experience amongst it.”

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney noted by his absence during training

Wayne Rooney was the only significant absentee from the open portion of training ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League last-32 second leg against Ajax at Old Trafford tomorrow. There has been no suggestion of an injury to Rooney, although with an important Premier League trip to Norwich looming on Sunday, manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not want to take any chances with his star man especially with the Reds 2-0 up after the first leg. The remainder of United’s first-team squad were present, including midfielder Anderson.
On a windy day during which temporary fences erected to shield building work atUnited’s Carrington training complex blew down, long-time absentee Michael Owen was spotted doing some jogging on his own as he tries to battle back from injury. Owen has not featured for United since suffering a thigh muscle problem in a Champions League group phase match against Otelul Galati in November. Victory for United tomorrow would secure a last-16 meeting with either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao next month.

Man Utd ace Rooney: I want Ferguson to be my manager for entire career

Wayne Rooney wants Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to be his manager for his entire career.

The pair’s relationship came under intense scrutiny last week after Ferguson dropped Rooney from United’s home defeat to Blackburn as punishment for going on a night out without permission over Christmas.

But Rooney told The Sun: “Sir Alex is the greatest manager of all time. Of course I would like to play under him for the rest of my career.

“He’s a great manager and is a big reason why I joined Manchester United. If I could finish my career playing under Sir Alex then I won’t have gone far wrong.”

His words will go a long way to appease the United faithful after a turbulent fortnight.

Rooney added: “As I said before he is, in my eyes, the best ever. His success and his trophies speak for themselves. He’s an incredible manager and has done so much for football and so much for my game as well.

“His every-day commitment to his job is what makes him stand out.

“He’s in before the players every morning and leaves after you. His commitment, his desire to win and his dedication is incredible.”

Sorry United succumb on Tyneside; Newcastle United 3 Manchester United 0

Following their disappointing defeat at the hands of Blackburn on new years eve, United looked to quickly bounce back with a trip to St James’s Park to face Newcastle United. Having not lost to the Tyneside club since 2001, United were confident of reducing the 3 point gap on league leaders city to merely goal difference, going into the second half of the season. However, with Demba Ba having scored 14 goals already this season, United’s  defensive woes of late would have to subside in order to get a positive result. Rio Ferdinand alleviated some of the pressure by returning to the side along with Wayne Rooney, as Antonio Valencia continued at right back in an auxiliary role.

With a boisterous home crowd roaring them on, Newcastle began the game very brightly, putting pressure on Anders Lindegaard, replacing David De Gea, with a barrage of long balls into the penalty area. United however looked dangerous on the break, and brought the first save of the game as Nani’s curling effort was parried by Tim Krul, nearly into the path of the onrushing Rooney. The Portugese winger was beginning to find some joy down the right hand side, as United looked to break the deadlock, but the final ball was constantly letting the reds down. This was telling, as Giggs’ perfectly weighted through ball was poorly controlled by Rooney, who had the goal at his mercy if he could have brought the ball under. United were made to pay on the half hour mark, as an arrowing Tim Krul long ball was nodded on by Shoala Ameobi, and expertly volleyed home by Demba Ba past a helpless Lindegaard to leave United facing another mountain to climb at the half time interval.

Any words of wisdom issued at half time were quickly out the window, as Yohann Cabaye produced one of the goals of the season just 2 minutes after the restart, curling a sublime free kick from 30 yards into the top corner and all but condemning United to a second successive defeat. With their tails up, Newcastle ramped up the pressure on a creaking United, who instead of rallying in typical fashion to mount a classic comeback, appeared to be wilting. The introduction of Danny Welbeck brought some respite for United, who nearly found an unlikely way back into the game as Nani’s cross was flicked on by Welbeck to Rooney, whose side footed volley was frustratingly cleared off the line by ex red Danny Simpson, preventing an inevitable United siege in the final stages. For all their possession, United were failing to find the target with the frequency required to get back into the game, and with Demba Ba constantly harassing the United back four, the reds were unable to build sustained pressure from the back.

Another insipid United display culminated in a farce, as with only stoppage time remaining, a seemingly harmless long ball down the middle was nodded by Phil Jones into his own goal, leaving United well an truly beaten and 3 points off the pace at the top. Next up for United, the small matter of a trip to Eastland’s to face Manchester City in the FA cup 3rd round.

Ratings

Lindegaard – 5 Could do nothing for goals, but unconvincing display.

Valencia – 6 Attacking force but vulnerable defensively.

Ferdinand – 5 Couldn’t live with Ba’s movement and pace.

Jones – 3 Shocker, but will be back.

Evra – 4 Constantly exploited by Newcastle.

Nani – 4 Couldn’t get into the game.

Carrick – 5 Regressed back after positive performances.

Giggs – 4 Willing but not able.

Park – 4 Inept performance, not needed in these sorts of games.

Rooney – 3 Looked horribly out of sorts.

Berbatov – 3 Unlucky to not score with header, only touch in final 3rd however.

Subs

Welbeck – 6 Immediately improved attacking threat.

Hernandez – 4 Constantly offside.

Anderson – 5 Provided some drive.

Ferguson not panicking despite Newcastle rout

Sir Alex Ferguson insisted it’s not time to panic despite admitting Manchester United had handed the Premier League title initiative back to Manchester City.

A stunned Ferguson saw his side suffer a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Newcastle, condemning them to back-to-back league losses for the first time in 10 months to remain in second, three points adrift of Roberto Mancini’s leaders, while holding the same advantage over Tottenham Hotspur, in third.

The Manchester rivals meet in the FA Cup this weekend, but Ferguson’s thoughts remain on his attempts to stretch City’s 44-year wait for the English top flight crown, and the Scot said: “Of course it is advantage City. We had our opportunity, they played last night and won, so it’s advantage to them.

“The one plus for me is we had two or three players back, and maybe that can make the difference. It’s not a time to panic, we have the patience and experience to cope.”

Ferguson insists his defending champions’ title know-how will help them in the long-run this season, and he added: “Losing a game down the years, you don’t want it to happen, but it does, and you see that with some of the results lately. But we’ll take the show on the road, particularly in March and April.”

Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor (L) and Manchester United’s Patrice Evra
Graham Stuart, AFP/Getty Images

Phil Jones’ embarrassing injury-time own goal completed United’s misery, after stunning goals in each half from Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye set Newcastle on the way to a first home win in two months to cement their hold on seventh place.

Wayne Rooney failed to shine on his return after a one-game suspension and hefty fine for flouting a club curfew over Christmas, as United were shut out for the first time this season.

Ferguson added: “We started reasonably well, and we had a good chance when Wayne was through and the ball ran under his foot. But then Newcastle scored a fantastic goal, and it really picked everyone up in the stadium.

“They got really aggressive against us and made it difficult. It was a marvellous volley and then the second goal just before half time was a killer. We didn’t make enough of our possession, it was one of those nights.

“Newcastle have very strong lads up front, they’re very aggressive and a real handful. But the story of the game was two fantastic strikes. There was no chance anybody would have saved them, they were two fantastic strikes.”

Newcastle lose 15-goal top scorer Ba and the equally influential midfielder Cheik Tiote to African Cup of Nations duty for the next month, and manager Alan Pardew admitted: “I’m not going to hide the fact that Demba and Cheik were our two outstanding players tonight, and we’re going to miss them while they’re away.

“In addition to his goal, Demba’s all-round display was outstanding, and it was as good a display as he’s produced since he’s been here.

“But you have to say what a way to sign off, and we look forward to welcoming them back in six or so games time. It’s a great result, we stayed on top of United, and didn’t let them play. We were due a win at home against one of the big Premier League sides, but now we’ve done that, we mustn’t get carried away.”

Manchester United adamant Wayne Rooney missed Blackburn defeat through injury

Manchester United were sticking to their story on Saturday night that Wayne Rooneymissed the Premier League defeat to Blackburn Rovers earlier in the day through injury rather than for disciplinary reasons.

Rooney was not even selected as a substitute for the shock 3-2 defeat, despite Sir Alex Ferguson being forced to name five untested youngsters on the bench.

Instead, the 26-year-old watched the match from an executive box, along with Darron Gibson, who has been mentioned along with Rooney, and currently injured defender Jonny Evans, in relation to a night out that took place on Boxing Day, after the 5-0 win over Wigan.

It has been reported by the Mail on Sunday that Sir Alex Ferguson got wind of the night out, ordered the players to do extra training on Wednesday, which was supposed to be their day off, then told them they would not be involved on Saturday.

Rooney and Gibson are reported to have trained on Saturday morning before heading to Old Trafford to see their team-mates fail to assume top spot in the Premier League, as had been anticipated.

The implications of what has been reported could be major for United, and in particular Rooney’s relationship with Ferguson.

However, whilst Red Devils officials were aware of the rumour circulating on Saturday evening - Ferguson’s 70th birthday - there was no official response.

Instead, the club’s website continued to report the statement Ferguson made about Rooney’s surprise absence to ESPN prior to kick-off.

“Wayne hasn’t trained well this week, he’s missed a few days and we’re hoping that he trains today, tomorrow and, by Wednesday, he should be okay. It’s little strains here and there.”

Those words suggest the initial fall-out would be limited to a single game, with Rooney – and possibly Gibson, who made his first start of the season against Wigan as United faced a chronic injury list – set to be included at Newcastle in midweek, and the FA Cup tie at Manchester City next weekend.

However, it has not been forgotten Rooney requested a transfer last season amid fears about United’s long-term future, only to be eventually talked round and then end the season as a Premier League winner and a goalscorer in the Champions League final.