Manchester United frontman Wayne Rooney hopes his first goal of the season, a superb curling free-kick against Crystal Palace on Saturday, will help open the floodgates after a difficult start to the new campaign.
The England forward wrapped up United’s victory from 25 yards in the 81st minute after strike partner Robin van Persie bagged the first from the penalty spot following a controversial red card for Palace’s Kagisho Dikgacoi.
The Red Devils dominated the game throughout at Old Trafford and capitalised on their man advantage, with Rooney playing his best football of the season.
“Delighted with the 3 points today. Made up to score my first goal of the season. Hopefully the first of many,” Rooney said on his social media site Facebook.
New United boss David Moyes believes that Rooney’s strike provided a significant point in his return to form.
“It has been so stop-start through pre-season to get him to this situation. I think that for him it was a big moment,” said the Scot.
“It was a great free-kick as well. The ability to get the ball up and down over the wall quickly was good.”
Last season Rooney netted 16 goals for United, a modest return that resulted in Sir Alex Ferguson dropping the England forward to the bench and playing him in a less productive role out wide.
Moyes believes Rooney and Van Persie can be a ruthless combination for the club.
“The hope is that we get a partnership where folk are saying, ‘My goodness we are having to play against Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney’.”
United play Germans Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League group stage opener at home on Tuesday before taking on rivals Manchester City on Sunday.
Picture courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.
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