Match Report
Man. Utd 4 Middlesborough 1

Wayne Rooney scored one goal and superbly set up another as Manchester United overwhelmed Middlesbrough to move to the top of the Premier League.

United went ahead on three minutes when Nani drove in a cracking shot from 30 yards but Jeremie Aliadiere soon equalised with a precise header. Nani robbed Stuart Downing and played in Rooney, to smash United’s second. After the break Carlos Tevez slotted in after a sublime Rooney back-heel and he added a fourth with a deflected shot. United scored four goals in a fourth successive game - the first time in 100 years they have done so.

They knew a win would see them overtake leaders Arsenal - at least until Sunday when the Londoners play Liverpool. And the hosts, who had Owen Hargreaves in their starting line-up for only the fourth time, wasted no time in setting about their task. Continue reading »

Tags:   goals galore · tevez rooney partnership · united win · wayne rooney

Match Report
Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 4

Wayne Rooney struck twice and missed a penalty as Manchester United eased to victory against nine-man Aston Villa. Gabriel Agbonlahor headed Villa into an early lead, but Rooney’s two composed finishes put United in front. Craig Gardner’s own goal gave United a third before half-time, and Nigel Reo-Coker was sent off on the hour. Keeper Scott Carson followed for a foul on Carlos Tevez, and even though Stuart Taylor saved Rooney’s spot-kick, Ryan Giggs added a deflected fourth.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rested Cristiano Ronaldo and gave fellow countryman Nani a place in the starting line-up. Villa opened brightly and were ahead in the 11th minute when Ashley Young retrieved Gardner’s dangerous centre and crossed for Agbonlahor to flick a header beyond Edwin van der Sar. Tevez and Rooney looked a dangerous combination, and Carson did well to block the Argentine as the pressure mounted. But it took a lapse of concentration from Villa defender Zat Knight to allow United to draw level after 36 minutes.

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Tags:   man of the match · Tevez · united win · villa