Welcome Back, White Pele

With the huge transfer sums paid for strikers Darren Bent, Edin Dzeko, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez, and Andy Carroll, along with the fair play restrictions, United’s moves and non-moves look better and better by the day, with the belief to keep Berbatov, the shrewd purchase of Chicharito and the coup in keeping Rooney despite his transfer request.

Rooney Scores His First Of Two

Prior to kickoff, Sir Alex gave Wayne a concrete goal to strive for by asking the No. 10 to tally double-digits this term, a reasonable target.

Well, it took Wazza less than a minute to answer his critics and his manager’s call.

Van der Sar hit a gloriously weighted 60-yard ball over the top of Richard Dunne, which Wayne took down with a velvet first touch and subsequent well-struck volley from 16 yards whizzed past Brad Friedel. One-nil to United.

How many times does a keeper get an assist? Incredible. It’s just another jewel to add to the Dutchman’s collection in his final year at Old Trafford.

To bookend his impressive half, Rooney stuck again almost on the stroke of half time, from a delicious cross that bent around the defender and the striker simply had to hit a one-time shot home from inside the six-yard box. This goal was all about Nani’s delivery, yet Wazza was in the right place at the right time to strike it home.

You get the feeling the damn could very well break for this lad.

Rooney’s overall movement, work rate and set-up play has largely come back. What’s been missing all season is THAT predatory striker with a big heart, one that simply wants the ball and the opportunity more than the defender.

No United fan will ever forget the lightening-quick, full-field counter attack goal against Arsenal last year, as we simply watched Wayne out run half the Gunners the length of the pitch to get in place for a first-touch, side-foot volley past an incredulous stadium.

We’re starting to see the signs of the reemergence of THAT Wayne Rooney. Or, in the words of Mr. Houllier:

"They [United] have managed to win a lot of games and remain unbeaten without him. With him, wow. He was on top of his game today. He had everything. He can control, turn, twist, [and] play the pass. He defends, he works hard. It was an example for what kids should do. The work rate and link play. Everything."

Shudder the thought, title-chasers.