closer to the glory

A great performance was shown by Wayne Rooney who has just scored a couple of goals in the match against Milan.

Although everybody expected to see the unstopable Christiano Ronaldo making what he knows, this star couldn't shine as much as red devils wanted but he was part of the first goal.

The author of the other two goals was Wayne Rooney and his good tecnic.

Red devils are ready for the next match it promises to be full of emotion.

Re-Live: Manchester United 7-1 Roma

Manchester United produced a performance beyond superlatives to sweep aside Roma and book a place in the Champions League semi-final with a remarkable seven goals that left Roma in ruins and the rest of Europe in awe.

Michael Carrick (2), Cristiano Ronaldo (2), Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra were the men on the scoresheet but all fourteen players who took part deserve a share of the abundant praise after a performance that will be remembered long after they've hung up their talented boots - regardless of whether this leads to glory in Athens or not.

For those supporters still nursing the scars of that terrifying ordeal in the Italian capital, revenge was indeed sweet. Retribution, as was fit and proper, came in the form of a sound beating, and not the sort dished out by baton-wielding police.
Three goals inside the first 20 minutes, four in the opening half, six within the hour, sent United into the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in five seasons. Never before have United overcome a first leg deficit to progress into the next round of the knock-out stage. As for scoring seven goals, their previous best was five.

Goal appears but it wasn't enough

Wayne Rooney put the Red Devils in front early in the second half, but substitute Robin van Persie equalised with six minutes remaining before Henry wove his magic once again with virtually the last kick of the game.
Even when Henry didn't show magical moves and made many mistakes the last breath gave his team the victory over Manchester.
"I scored with my head so it must have been pretty special!" Henry said
"I wanted to make sure to at least make it difficult for Edwin [van der Sar] and I got the ball in the back of the net. It can't be better against Manchester United than to be 1-0 down and come back right at the end and win the game.
"A win against Manchester United is always special but especially so with the way we did it today. Doing the double over them is always a pleasure."

Wayne Rooney Buys £300,000 Florida Villa

Wayne Rooney and his fiancee Coleen McLoughlin have reportedly snapped up a luxury villa in Florida.
Coleen’s little sister Rosie suffers from Rett Syndrome, a brain disorder, and places like Sea World are ideal for her treatment.
The £300,000 villa is in a development in Harbor Pointe, Port Charlotte and is amongst the holiday homes of twenty other Premiership stars.
Golfer Lee Westwood always owns a property in the community which was voted one of the top five places to live in Florida.
Facilities include a restaurant, bar gym and swimming pool.
Rooney and his fiancee McLoughlin are also appearing together in a series of new ads for Coca-Cola.
McLoughlin is currently the face of Asda's range of "must haves" clothing.

Rooney turns down rest option

Wayne Rooney has snubbed the chance of a New Year’s break to rediscover his touch.
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson was ready to give the England striker a 10-day rest, after a handful of tired-looking performances.
But Roo turned down the offer and was back at the Red Devils’ Carrington training ground yesterday for extra training.
Rooney, 21, was the only man who played the full game at Newcastle on New Year’s Day to put in any outdoor work.
Then, while the rest of the first-team squad took on the reserves, he did an hour’s shooting practice in a bid to find the answer to his recent barren spell.
A United source revealed: “No one expected to see him.
“We all thought he had been given time off but he was really hitting the ball hard.
"David Beckham used to fire free-kicks on his own, so I suppose it’s a similar scenario for Wayne.
"At least it shows how eager he is that he is willing to put the effort in.”
Rooney has not been on target since scoring against Manchester City on December 9 and has since gone five games without a goal.
The source added: “It’s the first time I’ve seen him do it but it’s been a frustrating time for him in front of goal this season.”

ROONEY BREAKS GOAL DROUGHT

Wayne Rooney scored his first international goal in a year to help England earn a 1-1 draw at the Netherlands yesterday in an international friendly.

Having rediscovered his best form for his club, Rooney showed he's back to his best in international colours and his first half strike, from an exquisite Joe Cole cross, was one of many magical moments from England's latest talisman.
Rooney got behind the Dutch defence in the 37th minute and kicked the ball into the net with his right heel. It was the Manchester United striker's first goal for England since scoring against Argentina in a friendly last November in Geneva.
Steve McClaren said he was pleased to see Rooney back in form for England.
"His performance was back to Wayne Rooney as we know him," McClaren said.
Rafael van der Vaart equalised for the Netherlands in the 86th minute, stabbing the ball in after a long throw from the left.
The draw will do little to take the pressure off McClaren, who has been under fire since his team lost to Croatia and drew with Macedonia in European Championship qualifying.

THIS is what happens if you mess with Wayne Rooney

Footballer Michael Gray is still sporting a painful black eye a week after he was punched by the furious England ace in a Manchester restaurant.
Rooney, 20, had dealt a single blow to Blackburn Rovers star Gray after he "repeatedly" asked for a threesome with his fiance Coleen McLoughlin.
Manchester United striker Roo, a promising boxer in his youth, astounded fellow diners by reportedly hitting loud-mouthed Gray in the left eye - without even leaving his seat.
Yesterday, Gray - who all week has been wearing dark shades to cover up the injury - looked glum as he watched his team draw with Sheffield United from the stands.
An onlooker said: "He didn't look happy and the bruise around his eye looked awful. Rooney obviously delivered a killer blow."

Wayne Rooney Will Be A Changed Man Says P Diddy

P'Diddy says he promises Wayne Rooney will be a "better footballer" after they spend a weekend partying together.Rooney paid a £20,000 charity pledge at David Beckham's World Cup party in May for a trip to New York City with the rapper.Combs is so determined to show Rooney a good time, he is convinced the sports star will return to England a changed man."I promise you when he comes back he'll be playing better football," he said."After he comes to New York, we'll probably be cousins. It'll be a non-stop party with lots of sexy ladies."

KLINSMANN: DON'T OVER-BURDEN ROONEY

Jurgen Klinsmann has warned England supporters not to place too much expectation on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney.

Germany coach Klinsmann, who may have to find a way to contain the Manchester United youngster, recognises Rooney as a fearsome talent but fears the 20-year-old may get over-burdened.
Klinsmann knows plenty about the difficulties of pressure himself having led the German line at three World Cups.
The former Tottenham striker told the League Managers Association website: "Wayne Rooney is, undoubtedly, one of the most talented young players in the world today.
"He has shown that he can perform exceptionally well on football's major stages as evidenced in Portugal at Euro 2004 and in many of his performances in the UEFA Champions League.
"Rooney is that rare player who appears to play by intuition and is able to change the course of a game with powerful runs, strong shooting and incisive passing.
"I hope that fans and the media do not burden him with the expectations of an entire country.
"He is surrounded by other established and accomplished players, who can and will, contribute to the team's performance."

ZICO JOINS THE ROONEY FAN CLUB

Former Brazilian star Zico has sung the praises of England striker Wayne Rooney and claimed: "He has the potential to be a legendary player."
Zico can even see some of the great Pele's qualities in the Manchester United forward, who turned in another five-star performance for his country in last night's World Cup qualifying victory over Poland at Old Trafford.
Zico said: "One of Pele's great qualities was that he could take any situation in his stride.
"From the little I have seen of Wayne, I think he can do that too. Great players always have the habit of being able to rise to the occasion.
"Like Pele used to, they puff out their chests and show the world who is in charge.
"I like Rooney's play very much. He is dangerous in front of goal but he is a good all-round footballer as well.
"He has the qualities I admire in a striker - pace, awareness and power.
"He is explosive too. He has the potential to be a legendary player."
Arsenal and French striker Thierry Henry has echoed Zico's sentiments, adding: "I have always said that Wayne Rooney is an amazing player, the kind of striker that any team in the world would like to have.

The England and Manchester United forward has been criticised for his petulant attitude and a lack of discipline which saw him sent off for his club last month and pick up unnecessary bookings at international level.
Questions remain over the 19-year-old's temperament and the debate continues to rage over whether his aggressive approach should be reined in but Blatter is in no doubt who should take responsibility for the teenager.
"When you play at the level he is playing he should be called to order," he said.
"Definitely his managers should be tougher on him. They should tell him 'You are so talented but keep [playing] in the right way'.
"This guy can go for 15 years but self-discipline and respect [is essential]."

UNITED ACE HUNGRY FOR GLORY

Wayne Rooney goes into the new season knowing that comparisons with footballing greats of the past will become valid only if he wins the biggest prizes.
The Manchester United striker was hailed as England's answer to Pele by Sir Bobby Charlton when he overcame injury to go to the World Cup this summer, while Sir Alex Ferguson has described him as the most talented player to emerge from the British Isles since George Best.
Rooney is both honoured and humbled to be placed in such hallowed company.
But while the 20-year-old Scouser's rise has been meteoric, it is medals rather than accolades that drive this genius - and he is aware that he must add to the solitary League Cup medal he won last season if he is to stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants of the game.
"I want to win everything - the Premiership, the Champions League and, yes, also the World Cup," said Rooney in an exclusive interview with Sunday Mirror Sport.
"It might not happen, but that's what my aim is. That's the reason why I'm in football".

"When the day comes for me to stop playing I want to be remembered as a winner. I want people to look back on my career and be impressed by the number of medals and trophies I have won.
"That's how I want to be remembered - as a player who won all the major trophies. It was unbelievable to hear the manager comparing me to George Best and Sir Bobby saying I can be like Pele.
"When our manager says something then you listen, while Sir Bobby was one of the game's true greats.
"It gives me a lot of confidence when people like that recognise my talents, but the only thing I am thinking about at the moment is to get even better and to become as good a player as possible.
"Hopefully, in 20 years' time, people will remember me the way we now remember the great players of the past.
"To do that I need to win things - the big competitions. That was why I joined Manchester United. Winning the Carling Cup last season was fantastic. It was great to win my first ever medal.
"But the medals that really matter at United are the Premiership and the Champions League. That's how it is at a club this size and hopefully we can achieve those things in the next few years."