WAYNE Rooney gift wrapped Sir Alex Ferguson a 68th birthday present by promising to deliver his best ever goal haul for a season.
The England striker opened the scoring in a 5-0 United win against Wigan to bring his tally for the campaign to 15.
His previous best was 23 goals in all competitions in the 2006-07 term and he is certain he’ll smash that statistic by May.
“I would hope to beat my best total. If I don’t get another eight goals from now until the end of the season there is something seriously wrong,” said Rooney after United’s romp against the Latics.
“We are happy with the result. To score five goals in the Premier League is quite rare these days. It was our best performances of the season.
“We played quick, counter-attacking football in the first-half and scored some good goals at the right times.
“We knew before the game we were seven goals behind Chelsea and we wanted to get closer. To score five has done that, so we are pleased.
“It is fairly close at the top. Arsenal are up there as well. The team who is most consistent from now on will win the league.”
Ferguson saw the champions end the decade closing the gap on title leaders Chelsea to two points and reducing the goal difference deficit to two. Michael Carrick, Rafael, Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio Valencia were the other men on target.
“I am not picking any individuals out because everybody is going to play their part and tonight they did,” he said.
“I think the first 45 minutes was one of the best this season. We were fluid and the movement and tempo was terrific. We created a lot of chances. It was marvellous stuff.
“We kept our momentum going even though we were 3-0 up at half time. We kept it going all night and I think the players realised there was an opportunity to get goals.
“Goal difference could be important at the end of the season and now we have got within two of Chelsea and are one ahead of Arsenal so it was a good night for us.
“We have a great chance now. We are in good form.”
What do you think? Have your say.
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Benfica1968, USA (30/12/2009 at 23:59)
There was a lot of criticism of Valencia after Hull, which I thought was unjust and he showed today just how effective he can be. Clearly Wigan were poor, but there was good pace and flow tonight and it could have easily been more than 5.
I very much doubt that we will win the League and I think Europe is an even longer shot, as this is still a team in transition after the loss of Ronaldo (and to a lesser extent Tevez) as well as the ageing of Scholes, Giggs, Neville and the injury problems of Ferdinand. I just hope the rumours of Vidic and Madrid are not true.
Balders!, W3106, Tier2 (31/12/2009 at 00:19)
roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (31/12/2009 at 00:30)
ChateThailand, Bangkok Thailand (31/12/2009 at 04:53)
"I think the first 45 minutes was one of the best this season".
It's TRUE....
In the first half we played very very well and should have scored 5-6 goals already... We have to bring in another top class striker (Who is tall and quick) to play alongside Rooney... Arsenal are coming in a very good form... So it's not a two-horses race now and we need to make sure that our EPL title is staying at Old-trafford...
Joseph Mifsud (31/12/2009 at 07:11)
united 2 england 1, fleetwood (31/12/2009 at 08:58)
it was fantastic to see the goals coming from all departments and they all stood up to the challenge given to them from god.
now is the time to bring on the scum and the berties.
outstation, perth, australia (31/12/2009 at 09:36)
The way the British commentators fawn over him is a little unseemly.
You'd think that if he was as important to Utd's chances as the British media all seem to think, that SAF would have taken him off with 30mins to go. However it was the classy Berbatov and Evra to make way!!
RedHeart (31/12/2009 at 10:06)
george best_68 (31/12/2009 at 10:07)
best solution would be sell park, berbatov, buy villa and silva, there is nothing to loose in this deal
and villa would be the perfect partner for wayne
if there was money............................................................................................................
GC Northstand (31/12/2009 at 10:19)
Interesting that the Wit Slow one hasn't woken up yet this morning to post his negative rubbish, perhaps the nurse was a little heavy on the medication.
GC Northstand (31/12/2009 at 10:32)
ALBERT SCANLON RIP you are always with us
Red Afro, Derby (31/12/2009 at 10:36)
Alias Smith, over the moon (31/12/2009 at 10:40)
RemiMoses, Ireland (31/12/2009 at 11:03)
Paul (31/12/2009 at 11:16)
I wasn't one of the Valencia critics after the Hull game, but I did agree with them. And happily, I can agree with you now. Pace and flow sums it up. Wigan seemed full of holes and there were so many perfect red passes, rolling ahead of the player to take on the run. Clearly, this is meat and drink to Valencia. In fact the whole team rocked and the way the eleven performed for each other was greater than any individual effort.
Unlike you, I think United's winning gene will secure another title (at the start I posted 1 Utd, 2 Arse, 3 Chelski, 4 any other but the scousers. Don't be defeatist about the CL. There is a lottery element to it, and Utd have a few tickets.
united 2 england 1, fleetwood (31/12/2009 at 11:17)
i dont think you actually go to any games and you are totally wrong about the berb as he is a fantastic player (did you not watch him last night ? ) evra produces every game and must be the best lb in the world. as for the money david gill states publicly that the ronaldo money plus more is there for god to spend.
chris, oxford (31/12/2009 at 11:18)
Agreed Alias, Rooney was superb again last night - it makes a difference when he has a partner for a change ;-)
schgittor (31/12/2009 at 12:16)
Duncan, London (31/12/2009 at 12:22)
boyfromburrenway, exile czech republic (31/12/2009 at 12:53)
evra is the best lb in europe if not the world at the moment....careful he doesnt burn out which is why we need fabio to step up.
this whole business of it being against a poor team is correct- however there was a tempo there that we need to play at , the passign was crisp and incisive and we were actually exciting to watch ...up there with away againt spurs earlier in the season....whereas against wolves and a few other weaker teams at OT a huge amount of the criticism is about precisely this..quick.tempo and crisp passing, when we do it we re a joy to watch and hard to beat.
Good to see Valencia just do what everyone wants to see...beat a man find a good cross or pass, or shoot...simple in theory but so so effective in practice
no minutes silence for albert scanlon though??? -is that correct?
happy new year everyone
danny, WILMSLOW (31/12/2009 at 13:52)
Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (31/12/2009 at 15:40)
The bloke would play barefoot with a pair of rolled up socks if their was no alternative!
Probrably a bit more pressure but when Nev decides to exit, the skippers armband would find a good home on the scousers upper elbow.
As we say farewell to the noughties,we celebrate the winning of 6 titles,European,League,F.A and World titles! Footballers of the year from both camps,European and World Best in Ronny...We are blessed indeed that such riches have come to our table on a regular basis. The Old Man has his moments which completely mystify we great unwashed,The remaining three of the class of '92 refuse to leave the stage until another piece of silverware hangs around their necks,the kids coming through will have their share of glory in the years to come,and another Red is due to be born in the Blabbermouth family!
Only the yanks cast a shadow on our parade,hopefully time will solve that problem!
Happy New Year to all and may the world be that much Redder in the morning. All the Georgie!
Rounders@united, Budapest (31/12/2009 at 16:38)
2OLEGEND, Lancaster (31/12/2009 at 17:05)
your quite clearly an armchair fan who sits at home and comments on whats put in front of you. get yourself to OT and check out wazza in all his glory. then - you will be in a position to comment. in the meantime, perth glory arent doing too well are they? shouldnt you support your local side?
outstation, perth, australia (31/12/2009 at 18:42)