Wayne Rooney scored two first half goals to help send Manchester United to a 4-1 win over a spirited Aston Villa on Saturday, temporarily lifting the gloom surrounding David Moyes’ dismal first term in charge.
The last season’s champions have looked a pale imitation of the side that bossed the Premier League under former manager, Alex Ferguson, and have slumped to seventh on the back of poor home form that includes consecutive 3-0 defeats to bitter rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Rooney headed United level six minutes later before putting them ahead from the penalty spot just before halftime as he went fourth in the all-time Premier League scoring charts.
Christian Benteke missed two glorious chances to draw Villa level before Spaniard Juan Mata scored his first goal since his £37 million (NZ$71.1 million) move from Chelsea in January.
Mexican substitute, Javier Hernandez, rounded off the win in injury time as United moved to 54 points, nine off fourth-placed Arsenal in the final Champions League spot.
The win was a much-needed boost ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final against holders, Bayern Munich.
“We didn’t start the game well today once again, but I’ve got to say the crowd were brilliant, they were behind the team,” David Moyes stated.
Rodney’s Premier League tally rose to 171, behind Alan Shearer (260), Andy Cole (187) and Thierry Henry (175).
“He’s a top player, he’s been great since the start of the season and anything I say I’d just be repeating myself,” Moyes said of Rooney.
“I did say to him after the game that if you keep scoring two goals a game for us, that’s going to give us a great chance of doing better.”
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