Wayne Rooney Impresses On Return From Injury

 

Wayne Rooney returned to Manchester United's starting line-up for the first time in two months for the 1-0 win over Aston Villa and according to Peter Smith he served up a reminder of his importance.
The Manchester United skipper had scored seven goals in nine games when a knee injury in mid-February took him out of action but, in his absence, fellow England strikers Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy further enhanced their cases for a starting spot at Euro 2016. Tottenham ace Kane bagged seven in eight Premier League games, while Vardy opened his England account with an outrageous flicked finish in the brilliant win against world champions Germany in Berlin, before following it up with another strike against the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, at United, Marcus Rashford has emerged from the youth ranks to become Louis van Gaal's first-choice striker. The 18years old made his United debut and scored six goals in 11 appearances while Rooney was on the treatment table. Rashford improved that scoring streak with another well-taken finish against now-relegated Aston Villa on Saturday but Rooney played a key role in the build-up and, in his first start back from injury, delivered a timely reminder of why, despite the form of others, he remains a key figure for club and country.

Deployed behind Rashford, Rooney linked United's defence with their attack, dropping deep to take the ball from Daley Blind and Antonio Valencia, or receiving the ball on the half-turn between Aston Villa's midfield and backline. Wayne Rooney exchanged 15 passes with attacking full-back Antonio Valencia Allowed time in possession by the struggling visitors, the United captain combined with Juan Mata well in the early stages, although an over-hit chipped through-ball for the Spaniard hinted at rustiness.

Rooney's ball-striking wasn't in question on 32 minutes though; the 30-year-old fired a raking, diagonal pass from the halfway line deep into Villa territory which found Antonio Valencia with stunning precision. The delivery presented the Ecuadorian with time and space to pick out Rashford in the box, who turned in a smart shot to break the deadlock.

Rooney also won five of his six duels and while his touch suggested he was tiring towards the end of his 67-minute stint, he can reflect on a happy return to Premier League action. Rooney's absence had been felt by United. In the 12 games he missed they managed to win just six, exiting the Europa League to Liverpool and suffering league defeats at West Brom and Tottenham which have damaged their top-four ambitions.

To make those Champions League qualifying spots, United will need a near faultless run-in and there's an FA Cup semi-final to come, too. A fit-again Rooney will be a major boost to Louis van Gaal for both tests. After a frustrating spell on the sidelines, Rooney is back and primed to remind his doubters of his importance.