Last night really was enjoyable if you are a United fan. The atmosphere in Old Trafford was excellent and the display on the pitch matched it.
For the second time in the tie, a certain Mr. Beckham was over shadowed by the ‘White Pele’ and as much as we love David I couldn’t be happier! Rooney’s brace set us well on our way to the next roundwith yet another header from a wonderful Gary Neville cross and then a rarity for his second, a goal with his feet! It was his 30th goal of the season and now the 42 goals Ronaldo scored in the 07/08 season is not looking like such a long shot.
Although Rooney and the score may have outshone David Beckham, he got the reception he deserved when he came on in the 64th minute, the kind of reception he used to get when he played for us so it was weird to see him playing against. Clearly still a big game player, his passing and crossing was top notch and could have got a few assists if Inzaghi and co. were on their game. He almost scored a thunderbolt of a shot too which would have been interesting!
Obviously Beckham is a United legend the reception he got shows how highly he is regarded at the club but he cemented this when he took up a ‘Green & Gold’ scarf at the end of the match. He would then go on and be interviewed whilst still holding the scarf so coming from a man who knows how to work the media (remember the hairstyle after Fergie hit him with the boot?), this was no accident.
When Ronaldo left they said we would suffer as we were a one man team, Rooney is on fire and they say he is carrying the team but last night was a team effort rather than a one man show. Gary Neville set up Rooney’s first and with the help of Valencia, who marshalled the wing excellently both in an attacking and defensive sense, kept Ronaldinho quiet. Darren Fletcher and Park Ji Sung both got onto the score sheet, but Park also played a part in keeping Ronaldinho and Pirlo quiet as he never allowed AC to settle. Our defence despite some shakes held strong. Nani came into the game as the game went on and his pass for Rooney’s second was something else.
The only downer of the night is the fact that Owen Hargreaves will not return from injury tonight as the reserve game with City “doesn’t fit into his training plans”. United have stressed he has not suffered a set back but I’m sceptical.
Over all it was an enjoyable night and like Fergie said after a performance like that we are ready to face anyone.
