Wayne Rooney has explained just how happy he was with the way Manchester United acted during their 2-0 win against Man City on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United produced a strong performance at Old Trafford, earning a 2-0 Premier League victory over Manchester City under Michael Carrick.
United set the tempo early, pressing City aggressively and forcing mistakes from the visitors. Early opportunities came for Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire, with Maguire seeing an effort strike the crossbar.
Both Amad and Bruno Fernandes had goals disallowed for offside before the break as United controlled the first half. After half-time, Casemiro was denied by a superb Gianluigi Donnarumma save, with Mbeumo also kept out soon after.
The breakthrough arrived on 65 minutes when Mbeumo finished calmly to give United the lead. Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu added a second ten minutes later, finishing a move set up by substitute Matheus Cunha to seal the win.
Rooney delighted with how United acted
United’s technical and tactical superiority will be the main focus of the post-match analysis, with Carrick’s Reds providing a completely dominant performance against Pep Guardiola’s men.
However, speaking to the BBC after the final whistle, United legend Wayne Rooney explained he was actually more delighted with the players’ spirit, work-rate, and energy.
“Obviously, I’m absolutely delighted,” Rooney said. I think the team spirit, the work rate, the energy, everything about that team was fantastic today.
“I’m absolutely buzzing for the players, for the fans – the fans have been starved of that over the last few years. I know it’s only one performance, but I think everyone could see how exciting that team can be.”
United finally playing the way they should
A lot has been made of what a real Manchester United side looks like, and following the performance against City, Rooney explained that the performance they put on at Old Trafford is exactly what they have been missing.
“You hear everyone, especially us as ex-players, talk about the United DNA, and that has just shown what it is,” Rooney continued. “Work rate off the ball, wingers getting back, filling in and helping out the full-backs.
“And the goals, crosses in the box, and desire to get on the end of it. The first goal, counter-attack, sitting in and breaking fast – that is the United DNA, and that was what we’ve been missing. And hopefully this continues.
“The work rate, the shape, the organisation of Manchester United today, the desire to get back and double up and help your teammates out and tackle and run without the ball, as quickly backwards as you do forwards. I think that was really evident today.”
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