PRESS BOX VIEW – GUARDIAN

Last updated : 19 December 2005 By editor

From The Guardian:

‘Not since 1995, when Alan Hansen erroneously proclaimed "you'll never win anything with kids", have United suffered defeat against Villa. It is a record that never looked under threat here as arguably the greatest kid of them all gave another performance of extraordinary maturity and breathtaking quality to provide United with a second restorative victory in the space of five days.


Oozing with confidence and bursting with energy Rooney in this mood is simply unplayable. Indeed such is his astonishing influence on this United side that it seems apposite to ask whether Ferguson's team would be capable of winning anything without him. Their embryonic relationship has yet to bring silverware, of course, though a Carling Cup quarter-final against Birmingham City tomorrow night offers a window of opportunity.


Not that United have given up hope of reining in the Premiership leaders Chelsea, who would surely be out of reach with Rooney in their side. "I think everybody in the world wants a player like him, not only Chelsea," said Edwin van der Sar, United's goalkeeper. "He works hard for the team up front but also in midfield and sometimes defensively also, so he's a great asset for United."


Rooney's goal here was his ninth in the Premiership this season and his 27th since he joined from Everton in August last year - United have won on every occasion he has found the net - though his contribution stretches way beyond scoring.


Pig Face is a fan:


"It is a pleasure watching Wayne Rooney when you are not involved in the game," said David O'Leary. "I have never known a lad of such a young age when you can say, 'If he plays well, Manchester United play well.' If he is not in the England side, England are not as good. He is that certain breed who seems perfectly happy to be training morning, noon and night."