Rooney Brace Beats Diamonds

By David Hobbs
July 31 2005

Wayne Rooney turned on the style as his brace rounded off Manchester United's pre-season tour of Asia with a victory against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.

Rooney Brace Beats Diamonds

Urawa Red Diamonds 0

Manchester United 2
Rooney X2

United suffered a minor setback in the Japanese capital Tokyo in midweek, losing 2-1 to Kashima Antlers in a fixture which saw a minor earthquake disrupt play in the first half.

However, Wayne Rooney opened his pre-season goal tally with a dazzling display which included a second goal similar to Eric Cantona's well-lofted goal against Sunderland in 1996.

"I feel brilliant," revealed the 19-year old. I've got a solid pre-season behind me, that's something I haven't had for two years now. Before tonight I hadn't scored in pre-season. As a striker you want to keep scoring, so it was good to get two before we go back to England. That can only help me going into the season."

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was in a buoyant mood following a tough week including the loss to Kashima Antlers, the row between Rio Ferdinand and Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ferdinand's offensive gesture to the United fans. "It was a fantastic goal, measured to absolute perfection. It was the highlight of the match," said the Scotsman.

"I saw him sizing it up but it still requires skill and imagination. Wayne has both.

Despite an attacking line of Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Guiseppe Rossi in the first-half, United couldn't find their feet until after the interval when Cristiano Ronaldo arrived.

Paul Scholes helped break the deadlock minute into the second period however, allowing Wayne Rooney to shurg off Urawa's defence and stroke home.

A goal worth watching over and over again followed as Rooney perfectly executed a lob over Urawa's helpless goalkeeper in an Eric Cantona style to secure the victory and end United's Asia tour.

Final Score: Urawa Red Diamonds 0 - 2 Manchester United
Venue: Saitama Stadium
Att: 48,000

Manchester United: Van Der Sar; G Neville, Pique, Silvestre, Richardson (P Neville); Smith Fletcher (Giggs), Scholes (Miller); Rooney, Saha (Ronaldo 45), Rossi (Dong 45)