Boss: Wayne Was World Class

Wayne Rooney produced one of his best displays of the season to help United overcome West Brom - a display his manager described as "world class."

The Reds' number ten scored one goal and created the other as the leaders beat the Baggies 2-1 but just as impressive were his all-round play and determination to see out the match after sustaining an ankle injury in a heavy challenge by the home side's Chris Brunt.

"People talk about world class players. That was a world class performance (by Wayne) today," Sir Alex Ferguson enthused on MUTV.

"He was absolutely magnificent, he drove us the whole way. It was a really good corner from him (to set up Chicharito's winning goal) – he doesn’t normally take the corners but it was a good one.

"Wayne was a bit unlucky not to score an extra couple of goals. But the goal he did score today will give him unbelievable confidence and hopefully he kicks on from here."

Rooney's third-minute header was his first goal for United from open play since 30 March, when he scored even earlier in the match against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena where - concidentally - he also suffered an ankle knock in the latter stages of the game.

That injury in Germany triggered a difficult period in the striker's career, including a disappointing World Cup finals with England, but he now seems to be back in the groove. So much so that the last thing he wanted to do after being fouled by Brunt was drop out of the match and leave United with ten men on the pitch, all three substitutes having been deployed.

"He had an ankle injury (and needed treatment) but he came back on, that shows his courage. Our doctor thought, ‘That’s him – he’ll be out for a couple of weeks.’ But he came back on and he should be okay for Tuesday."