adminWayne Rooney wrote his own headlines as Manchester United turned in a punch-perfect performance to defeat Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 and strengthen the club’s pursuit of a top-four Barclays Premier League finish.
England and United captain Rooney headed into yesterday’s match amid an unusual media furore after footage emerged of him being supposedly floored in a mock boxing bout with Stoke City full-back Phil Bardsley at his home.
But Rooney ensured he had the last laugh with a boxing-themed celebration when he put his side 3-0 ahead in the 34th minute, completing a first half where nothing went right for the visitors at Old Trafford.
Having won six and lost two of their previous nine BPL matches in 2015, Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs team headed north with hopes of drawing level on points with their fourth-placed opponents.
But they were faced with a relentless United side as goals by Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick inside the first 20 minutes set Louis van Gaal’s men on the way to a victory that leaves them just two points behind misfiring neighbours Manchester City, who are second.
The excellent Carrick was one of three players to come into the United line-up following Monday night’s dispiriting FA Cup quarter-final loss to Arsenal. — BBC Sport.
Online Reporter