Wazza is in the form of his life. No longer the feeder for Ronny's goals, he is the captain of his own destiny this year. Happy to be the service for CR in past years (and receiver of CR's service, to be fair), Rooney has carved a new path with the absence of his sidekick. Many thought at the beginning of the season that there would be no replacement for Cristiano, but they were wrong. Valencia and Berbatov have filled in nicely, with Park and Nani appearing occasionally. And Rooney has only heightened his usefulness by finishing every shot and making them count.
The Reds met Fulham today on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary celebration of Old Trafford. The Cottagers have always given United trouble, and managed a 3-0 win at home earlier this season. But that was not to be on such an auspicious occasion. The first half saw United have many chances, with each ball just banging wide of the net. United was bound to break the bag, and did just seconds into the second half, and who else? Rooney. Number 31 for the season. Number 32 came in the 84th minute with Berbatov feeding a hungry Wazza. Berba himself, who had just missed a few headers in the first half, nodded in the final goal in the 89th. United were in charge for the entire match and now sit atop the table once again.
Some photos from the day:
Vidic tangles with Fulham striker, Bobby Zamora
Wazza tries to guide in an errant Berbatov shot, with US National Team striker Clint Dempsey (23) looking on
Wayne celebrates number 31
...and thanks Berba for the service of number 32
Berba (under defender) heads home his 10th of the season
Something interesting from the footy world today:
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo could be tempted back to Old Trafford in the future.
The Portuguese superstar left United last summer in a world record £80million deal.
But with Real Madrid bowing out of the Champions League this week, Ferguson says that life at the Santiago Bernabeu is perhaps not as good as some would suggest.
"I don't think Real Madrid is an easy club to play for - there is a circus attached to it," said Ferguson.
"He knows the value of Manchester United, and Ruud van Nistelrooy has said the same because what they have here is protection.
"They come to training every day at Carrington and there is no one here but the players and the coaching staff.
"At Real Madrid and some of the big Italian clubs there are 2,000 people watching training.
"The media film the training sessions every day. It is completely private here at United and we don't allow that exposure of our players.
"You'd like to think Ronaldo would want to come back here but you never know.
"I don't think he will stay at Real Madrid all his life - there are other challenges for him."
And Ferguson admits that he is very much still in touch with Ronaldo, something he rarely does when selling a player.
"I still have a great bond with Cristiano - he's a good guy,'' admitted the Scot.
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