Rooney double routs Rossoneri

David Beckham’s home coming was spoilt by Wayne Rooney who made it 30 goals for the season as he scored twice in a crushing 4-0 win over an Ac Milan side living on their past. The result meant that United advanced into the quarter finals of the Champions League courtesy of a 7–2 aggregate win.

Milan had the early opportunities as a Ronaldinho header drifted just wide and Klass-Jan Huntelaar failed to control a Tiago Silva pass with only United’s goalkeeper to beat. Like they were in the first leg at the San Siro, Milan were made to pay, as Rooney punished them with two clinical finishes. He opened the scoring on 13 minutes when he nodded home a pin-point Gary Neville delivery – a cross that a certain David Beckham would have been proud of. Rooney then doubled United’s lead within a minute of the restart which effectively killed the tie off. He slotted past the on rushing Milan keeper after latching on to an exquisite pass with the outside of his right-foot by Nani, who is really starting to grow in confidence.

The tireless Ji-Sung Park then added to Milan’s misery on the hour mark. He expertly took a Paul Scholes pass in his stride before drilling a low shot across Abbiati into the far corner. United were rampant and with tie beyond Milan, cue the arrival of an old friend. David Beckham took to the pitch for a 27 minute cameo. He was greeted by a standing ovation from the sympathetic Old Trafford crowd. Becks showed signs of his old self with some delightful crosses and a thunderbolt of a volley from outside the area which Edwin Van Der Sar did well to turn away. However, the party had already been spoilt and Darren Fletcher completed the rout three minutes from time when he latched onto substitute Rafael’s cross to head in United’s fourth.

After this display, United will fear no one when the Quarter final draw is made in two weeks time. It was a professional yet emphatic statement from the Champions as they combined a solid defensive display led by the returning Vidic and Ferdinand with a flowing, high tempo attacking masterclass that Milan couldn’t live with.

Beckham left Old Trafford wearing the popular Green and Yellow anti-Glazer scarf-a further message led by a United legend to the American owners. However, it wasn’t a fairy tale ending for Beckham, as Rooney stole the headlines once again.