Wayne the man did the trick once again as United came from behind to beat the Blades at their own turf, Bramall Lane. The Blades had taken a surprise lead through Keith Gillespie in the 13th minute but Rooney was at hand to level matters before scoring the winning goal in the 75th minute.
United started jittery and a couple of mistakes in the beginning allowed the Blades some room to settle and even take the lead. A mistake from Rio allowed the Blades to press and an accurate cross from the left was headed in by Gillespie from eight yards. It could’ve been worse but for some let offs. But it wasn’t long before United found their feet. United pressed and were denied strong shouts for not one but two penalties in the 26th and the 45th minute. Clearly the bugger pushed Saha in the back for the first one. On another we’d have gotten that call easily but today wasn’t that day.
The equaliser came on the half-hour mark when Neville’s cross from the right found Rooney in space and all he did was control the ball before coolly dispatching it into the back of the net for his second goal in three days.
United came out the stronger in the second half, although the Blades were working ever so hard to close United down but they finally felt the effects of their constant running and that is when United pounced. Attack after attack was bound to be rewarded and a cross from Patrice Evra from the left got what it deserved, a rasping low-shot from Rooney for his second of the game.
There were plenty more opportunities to increase the lead but we couldn’t put anyone away but in the end two goals proved enough and the red army go marching on entering the all-important week of CL and that elusive league game!
Other Reports: BBC, Soccernet.