Wayne RooneyWayne Rooney admits he would be stunned if he failed to eclipse his best seasonal goal tally of 23.
Rooney found the net for the 15th time this season as he scored the first goal in Manchester United's 5-0 hammering of Wigan at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The result took the Red Devils to within two points of Premier League leaders Chelsea heading into 2010, just as Sir Alex Ferguson demanded.
In addition, United have clawed back Chelsea's massive goal difference advantage. Now they trail by just two, with Rooney certain he is going to get a few more.
"I would hope to beat my best total," he said. "If I don't get another eight goals from now until the end of the season there is something seriously wrong. I hit the post before I scored and the bar afterwards. I am doing well and I feel fit. Hopefully that will continue."
Following on from his superb performance at Hull on Sunday, it was another masterclass from Rooney, which drew warm praise from Ferguson. "Wayne was absolutely fantastic again, just like Sunday," said the United boss. "The energy he showed in his game and his desire is marvellous."
Even Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was purring. "Wayne Rooney has been showing great maturity for the whole season," he said. "He is among that elite group of players in the Premier League who are truly world class."
Valencia improveHowever, Rooney was not alone in excelling. Antonio Valencia in particular had a productive night against his old club, taking his own tally to seven by netting the final goal of the year after Michael Carrick, Rafael Da Silva and Dimitar Berbatov had found the net.
"Valencia is doing really well," said Rooney. "He is really quick and is aggressive getting to the ball and his crosses are brilliant. To score seven goals already is a great achievement."
Ferguson believes the Ecuador winger will get even more as the season goes on, and they will be needed too as United chase a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. Aston Villa's stumble over the Christmas period seems to have turned the title battle into a three-horse race between United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who have a match in hand. "It is fairly close at the top," Rooney added. "Arsenal are up there as well and the team who is most consistent from now on will win the league."
It was Wigan's misfortune to catch United on a night when they produced their best performance of the season so far. However, Martinez's side showed a worrying willingness to let United play and he admitted it was a bad night.
"We made it easy for them," he said. "We didn't play like a team and showed our weaknesses. You have to work as a group. We were just individuals. We have to try and get rid of that inconsistency because we are hurting."
However, Martinez declined to condemn Hendry Thomas for walking slowly off the pitch when he was substituted and refusing to shake the hand of his replacement Scott Sinclair. "There is no problem," said Martinez. "We are all frustrated and disappointed. If Hendry didn't feel hurt there would be something wrong."
Rooney found the net for the 15th time this season as he scored the first goal in Manchester United's 5-0 hammering of Wigan at Old Trafford on Wednesday. The result took the Red Devils to within two points of Premier League leaders Chelsea heading into 2010, just as Sir Alex Ferguson demanded.
In addition, United have clawed back Chelsea's massive goal difference advantage. Now they trail by just two, with Rooney certain he is going to get a few more.
"I would hope to beat my best total," he said. "If I don't get another eight goals from now until the end of the season there is something seriously wrong. I hit the post before I scored and the bar afterwards. I am doing well and I feel fit. Hopefully that will continue."
Following on from his superb performance at Hull on Sunday, it was another masterclass from Rooney, which drew warm praise from Ferguson. "Wayne was absolutely fantastic again, just like Sunday," said the United boss. "The energy he showed in his game and his desire is marvellous."
Even Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was purring. "Wayne Rooney has been showing great maturity for the whole season," he said. "He is among that elite group of players in the Premier League who are truly world class."
Valencia improveHowever, Rooney was not alone in excelling. Antonio Valencia in particular had a productive night against his old club, taking his own tally to seven by netting the final goal of the year after Michael Carrick, Rafael Da Silva and Dimitar Berbatov had found the net.
"Valencia is doing really well," said Rooney. "He is really quick and is aggressive getting to the ball and his crosses are brilliant. To score seven goals already is a great achievement."
Ferguson believes the Ecuador winger will get even more as the season goes on, and they will be needed too as United chase a record fourth consecutive Premier League title. Aston Villa's stumble over the Christmas period seems to have turned the title battle into a three-horse race between United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who have a match in hand. "It is fairly close at the top," Rooney added. "Arsenal are up there as well and the team who is most consistent from now on will win the league."
It was Wigan's misfortune to catch United on a night when they produced their best performance of the season so far. However, Martinez's side showed a worrying willingness to let United play and he admitted it was a bad night.
"We made it easy for them," he said. "We didn't play like a team and showed our weaknesses. You have to work as a group. We were just individuals. We have to try and get rid of that inconsistency because we are hurting."
However, Martinez declined to condemn Hendry Thomas for walking slowly off the pitch when he was substituted and refusing to shake the hand of his replacement Scott Sinclair. "There is no problem," said Martinez. "We are all frustrated and disappointed. If Hendry didn't feel hurt there would be something wrong."
story by http://www.fifa.com/
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