Bastian: Rooney Winner Has Many Benefits

Bastian Schweinsteiger believes Wayne Rooney’s winning goal against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday will benefit both the player and Manchester United's UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Reds had not scored in three consecutive matches across all competitions but created plenty of chances against the Russian champions, who defended with 11 men behind the ball and provided stubborn opposition at Old Trafford – until Rooney headed home a deserved winner on 79 minutes.

Louis van Gaal’s men are now top of Group B and know that a victory over PSV Eindhoven at Old Trafford on matchday four will clinch qualification to the all-important knockout rounds. Schweinsteiger, who impressed against CSKA, is convinced his captain’s goal will benefit the club in several areas.

“It was a big moment for us because we hadn’t scored a goal in the last few matches so it was very important, especially after the big chance for Moscow in the second half,” Bastian told MUTV. “It felt good. I think we deserved this victory because we did a lot for the game, we tried to create chances and I think we had some, especially for Marcos Rojo in the first half and some other players.

“For us it was very important to win that match at home. Also, in the group, we are now at the top and we have to win the next match against Eindhoven, but the situation is much better now.”

Quizzed on the importance of Rooney’s goal and the relief of seeing United score for the first time in four matches, Schweinsteiger continued: “We are just happy that we could finish one of our attacks. I am also happy for Wayne that he scored his goal and I think it will give him a lot of confidence and I hope he can use this confidence in the next match against West Brom.”

Schweinsteiger was nominated for United's official Man of the Match award alongside Chris Smalling and eventual winner Jesse Lingard, who earned 48 per cent of votes from followers of the club's official Twitter account @ManUtd.