Henry Winter in The Daily Telegraph:
‘Of all the countless tributes paid to George Best these emotional last few days, the most apt and eloquent flowed from the feet of Wayne Rooney at Upton Park yesterday. With wonderful timing, Manchester United's No 8 conjured up a performance of art and graft that the legend who once graced the No 7 shirt would have thrilled to.
Certain qualities are demanded of any footballer who dares chase the sort of superlatives bestowed upon greats like Best. A player must sweat for the cause, track back diligently, unleash important tackles, and always create mayhem in opposing ranks with a touch of the unexpected. He must have an eye for goal, a heart for the fight, and quicksilver reactions. Such traits were all on parade in Rooney's formidable exertions in east
As Rooney and his team-mates waited in the dressing room before kick-off, Sir Alex Ferguson gave them some pertinent last-minute advice. "There are going to be comparisons with George Best today . . ." United's manager told his men, leaving the rest of the message unspoken. His players knew. They had to remind everyone of the flair and courage with which Best laced his United work.
Rooney seized the moment, striking a superb equaliser to Marlon Harewood's opener before creating John O'Shea's winner, and then disappearing with the man-of-the-match champagne. How fitting. Best was the same age as Rooney, a vibrant 20, when helping United to win the 1967 championship here.
He was a sweat-stained zephyr yesterday, blowing through West Ham in the second half. Delight swept through the United ranks as Rooney sparkled. Amid all the dark moments this year, the United faithful have had Rooney to enjoy. Amid
stranglehold, and Liverpool's prominence in