No Stopping Rooney

Wayne Rooney is among the world’s elite players, and he’s still got more to come – that’s the ominous assessment of United’s no.10 from Michael Carrick.

Rooney scored twice to inspire United’s 3-2 Champions League first knockout round first leg win over AC Milan at the San Siro. Rooney now has 25 goals for the season – his best tally to date – and there are a further possible 19 games this season in which he can add to that total.

Carrick describes his team-mate as “phenomenal”, marvelling at how the in-form 24-year-old is scoring goals relentlessly, setting them up, and influencing games with his all-round play.

“Wayne is among the best players in the world,” Carrick said. “He seems to be getting better and better and players like him have the ability to really influence the big games. He’s scoring goals and setting them up and his overall play is phenomenal. I’m sure he can get even better.”

Rooney’s spike in form of late is by no means coincidental with a more consistent back four and subsequently improved performances in midfield.

“Wayne was brilliant [against Milan] but I felt we did well as a team,” added Carrick. “We controlled a lot of the game and that gave him the platform to perform. He was causing all sorts of trouble for their back four. Being up there on his own is not easy. But of late he has been brilliant.”

With Rooney heading up a self-assured United team, the Reds are confident of beating anyone and optimistic of booking a place in the Champions League quarter finals when Milan visit Old Trafford in three weeks’ time.

“We’re playing well at the moment and scoring a lot of goals,” added Carrick. “Even after the bad start we were still confident that we could get a grip of the game. We played some good stuff in the second half and could have scored more. But overall the way we started the game and the chances they had, we can’t be too disappointed.

“You probably would say we’re favourites to go through, but we know how important the start of the next game is. If we can get the next goal we’ll be in a great position, but as things stand at the moment it’s still in the balance. We’ve got to make sure we perform again at Old Trafford.”