Is it Moys the right choice for United?

Having succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager this summer, Moyes has now seen the champions win just two of their first five league games, with his team suffering potentially costly defeats against traditional rivals City and Liverpool.

United, without groin injury victim Robin van Persie, were accused by Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany of not wanting to win the game as much Manuel Pellegrini’s team.
After suffering the ignominy of being outplayed and outfought by City, Moyes admitted that he told his players their performance was not up to standard.
“I’ve made them aware of that,” Moyes said. “But if ever there was a group of players I’d expect a reaction from it would be a group of Manchester United players.
“I think the way they have been brought up, the way they have been bred with the manager previously, they react, that’s what they do, and that’s what we will do here.I just told the players it the way I would have told players at any other club if I don’t think they are doing it.
“They are good players, good pros, and they know when they’re bang at it and when they’re not. We’ll make sure we react.”
Having surrendered the title to United last season – a campaign which included a 3-2 defeat against Ferguson’s team at the Etihad Stadium – City captain Kompany insisted that the home side were more determined to emerge victorious.
“Maybe the game meant a little bit more to us than for them,” Kompany said. “We were looking forward to this fixture. But it’s too early to say it’s a defining game. You make a statement over the course of the season, but it would be silly to give away three precious points.
“When we won 6-1 at Old Trafford I said we need to stay humble. It’s only three points, but it’s a good game to win and it gives the fans something to celebrate over the next few days.”
City manager Manuel Pellegrini, like Moyes taking charge of his first Manchester derby, maintained his unbeaten record against United following four draws while manager Villarreal. But after guiding his team to victory, the Chilean claimed that the result could be a damaging blow to United’s morale.
“It could be very big,” Pellegrini said. “Winning against Manchester United and the way we did is always important. It was a very important result. You normally don’t expect to win 4-1 against United, but the most important thing after the win is the way we played. Maybe United couldn’t play better because we played so well.”
United’s defeat, one day short of the 24th anniversary of a 5-1 defeat at Maine Road, extended their run of failing to score from open play in the league since the opening day victory at Swansea.
Wayne Rooney’s late free-kick, which made him the all-time leading scorer in Manchester derbies with eleven goals, was the sum total of United’s attacking play and Moyes admitted to being concerned by his team’s failure to create, and score, more goals.
“Yes, a little bit,” Moyes said. “I thought we created a few chances later on in the game, albeit the game was probably won by Manchester City at that point. There was no reason for us not to perform well today, but it’s one game, there are plenty more to come and plenty of time for us to try to fix it.
“I think our squad is really strong. Obviously you miss Robin van Persie, it’s a huge miss to anybody, but I thought Wayne could arguably have been the best player on the pitch today. He certainly didn’t deserve to play in the losing team, that’s for sure. I thought he was outstanding and it was probably as good a Wayne Rooney as I have seen.”
United face Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday and Moyes, who admitted he has not yet considered whether to rest players for that fixture, admitted Van Persie could feature against Brendan Rodgers’ team.
“I don’t think his injury is that bad,” Moyes said. “We felt he was going to make it but he just felt something in his groin.
“He’d actually done some training in the last couple of days but he just felt it when he made any sharp movements and didn’t want to aggravate it so we took that decision.”

Manchester United worst start to a season in almost a decade.

Manchester United worst start to a season in almost a decade.

Much will be made of the fact Manchester United were missing Robin van Persie through injury during Sunday's sensational derby humiliation at the hands of Manchester City but that would be an insult to the outstanding performance of the home team at the Etihad Stadium.From the defensive organisation of fit-again captain Vincent Kompany, to the midfield purpose and goalscoring of Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri, along with the finishing of Sergio Aguero - Manuel Pellegrini's City were superb in their manager's derby debut.


United, in contrast, were decimated and have now taken just seven points from their opening five Premier League games. It was always going to be a tough start when also hosting Chelsea and a trip to Liverpool but the pressure is unquestionably on David Moyes after his painful own first taste of the derby.


Here, Peter Fraser uses Opta statistics to pick apart City's crushing 4-1 victory and looks at what went wrong for an annihilated United in the biggest setback so far of the defending champions' post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.Van Persie was missing from the United squad for the eagerly anticipated derby in what was a huge blow for the visitors at the Etihad. The prolific Dutchman's name was conspicuous by its absence due to a groin injury as the teams were announced, with his place being taken by Danny Welbeck. Van Persie was not even among the substitutes while Ashley Young was also included in the side for Shinji Kagawa.City made just one change from the side who launched their Champions League campaign with victory over Viktoria Plzen in midweek, with striker Alvaro Negredo replacing Edin Dzeko. That meant captain Kompany kept his place having only returned from injury in the European win last Tuesday.City had a clear intent to not let United settle into the game and they were full of intensity from kick-off. They enjoyed a 70.6 per cent dominance of possession in the opening 15 minutes and pushed United deep into their own territory while at the same time focusing their attacks on the left-hand side.This exact tactic led to Aguero's opening goal, which had manager Pellegrini punching the air in delight on the touchline. Antonio Valencia was presumably selected by United for his work ethic and defensive commitment on the right of United's attacking players. But he switched off in the 16th minute to let Aleksandar Kolarov overlap Nasri and cross for Aguero to supply a sublime, volleyed finish.City continued to enjoy themselves with a majority share of possession and they produced nine shots in the opening quarter of the game, with United failing to manage one. United undoubtedly caused themselves problems throughout their ineffective performance but likewise the purpose and power of City was immense.Man of the match Yaya Toure and the rejuvenated Nasri, who was also superb in the midweek win over Plzen, were significant factors in City's excellent first half. Toure touched the ball 43 times, won all of his two duels and played 38 passes, the most of any player on the pitch, at a pass success rate of 86.8%. He also scored City's second goal on the stroke of half-time after a defensive lapse from Marouane Fellaini, who lost his man. Likewise, Nasri touched the ball 46 times, which was the most of any man on either side in the first half.


For United, although they saw an increase in possession in the 10 minutes before half-time - with the possession stats at the break reading only a 54.7% majority for City - there were familiar signs from their season. They had the ball in central areas but Michael Carrick and Fellaini were failing to dictate play. Carrick won possession (10) and had more touches (95) than any other player over the course of the game. But as Sky Sports' Gary Neville identified in co-commentary, there were "too many straight passes". Fellaini was supposed to improve this area after taking Tom Cleverley's place in the team but there was little impact against City.Carrick and Fellaini were failing to play the ball at any angles which would test City's line of defence and this in turn allowed the home side to keep their shape and mean Wayne Rooney, who looked a frustrated figure, had to drop deep in search of the ball. Young was also guilty of a dire performance, with only eight successful passes before half-time.

Sky Sports' Niall Quinn said at the interval: "Manchester City have been outstanding in all departments. Matching up man-to-man, they have totally dominated Manchester United. The intricacy of their play and the spirit and desire at the back to win tackles has been lovely to watch at times. They deservedly lead 2-0."United were, of course, missing Van Persie but Welbeck was having to work off scraps in place of the influential Dutchman as the lone striker. It is difficult to imagine whether Van Persie would have been able to do any better. Welbeck touched the ball just 15 times in the first half, which was the same as City goalkeeper Joe Hart and that provided a microcosm of the game.Little changed immediately after half-time, when City made it 3-0 in a goal which was spookily similar to the first, with Valencia guilty of allowing Kolarov to overlap with a decoy run. Nasri had the room to cross for Negredo who in turn centred the ball for Aguero to finish with another volley after running off the back of Fellaini. It could be argued deadline-day signing Fellaini is not yet up to speed with United's defensive tactics unlike City's summer signings, who all arrived early in the window.

If midfield effectiveness had been a boxing contest, the United coaching staff would surely have thrown in the towel given the way their side were being pulled apart. Again United's midfield was non-existent as City made it 4-0 in the 50th minute. Nasri scored the goal but Kompany took the credit after winning the ball on the edge of his box and feeding it to Jesus Navas before running the length of the pitch to create the space in United's box.It was a reflection of Kompany's overall performance. The Belgian may have only just returned from injury but he hardly gave Rooney or Welbeck a sniff of the ball. At the final whistle, Kompany had won five of his six duels, made 12 clearances - four times more than his closest team-mate - and had gained possession on nine occasions.

Moyes responded to going 4-0 down by sending on Cleverley in place of the hugely ineffective Young. The poor performance of Young can also be attributed to the fact he was facing Pablo Zabaleta, who underlined his reputation as the best right-back in the division after a superb 10 tackles overall, which was more than double any other player on the pitch.But the introduction of Cleverley made little impact. With three in central midfield, United saw a bit more of the ball. However, the key to City's success were the influential performances throughout their team, with Kompany, Toure, Nasri and Aguero, who was typically clinical with two goals from his only two shots in the game, all absolutely superb.

Rooney would at least give United, who have another tough match on Wednesday when Liverpool visit Old Trafford in the Capital One Cup, something to cheer with less than five minutes of normal time remaining when his wonderful, curling free-kick was out of reach of Hart. The goal was Rooney's 11th in a Manchester derby to mean he is now the highest scorer in the fixture's history. But landmarks and consolations will mean little to Moyes as he worries about any potential lasting hangover among his squad from their derby embarrassment.

Manchester derby

Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes are making their debuts in a Manchester derby on Sunday and hoping their attacking threats outnumber the defensive weaknesses.

MANCHESTER CITY

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Like his opposite number, making his debut in a Manchester derby, though David Moyes has at least experienced the occasion in the past as a spectator. After four games it is fair to say that those who tipped Manchester City to run away with this season's title have been revising their expectations slightly downwards, for only the opening game was truly impressive and the manner of the unexpected defeat at Cardiff downright worrying. Courtesy of a much kinder Champions League group than City have been used to Pellegrini is up and running in Europe, though there is still uncertainty over his best team, particularly at the front end. On the positive side, there is plenty of room for improvement.

Defence

The meanest in the Premier League last season, leaking 34 goals, but still inexplicably flimsy whenever Vincent Kompany goes missing. Fortunately, the reliable Belgian is back from injury now, so City should not have too many defensive worries as long as Joe Hart can put his recent wobbles behind him. Joleon Lescott was so jittery in the last home match that Pellegrini paired Javi García with Matija Nastasic at centre-back for the visit to Stoke, where City were quite lucky to come away with a point, but with Kompany fit again the only area of doubt is left-back, where Gaël Clichy has been injured and Aleksandar Kolarov erratic.

Midfield

Yaya Touré is still the go-to man, both in terms of providing the drive from deep positions and, increasingly, getting among the goals. He has two in the league this season, although splendid as his late free-kick against Hull City in the last home match was, it put a flattering gloss on a very ordinary performance by his high standards. He was flat that day, and so were City, whereas when Touré is dominant in midfield his side are at their best. He has played every minute of every league game this season, making a total of 347 passes with an accuracy of more than 90%. City now have Fernandinho anchoring the midfield, and if the latest upgrade on Nigel de Jong has made a quiet start in England, at least Touré still has the attacking freedom he desires.

Attack

Still a work in progress, with Alvaro Negredo resembling Edin Dzeko, Jesús Navas establishing himself and Stevan Jovetic wondering where he will fit in. The main attacking threats are still the ones from the title-winning season, David Silva and Sergio Agüero, though a lack of goals became a worry last season, and Carlos Tevez has departed since then. While City are not quite as blunt up front as Chelsea, they sometimes suffer from a similar lack of directness in attack, and often need someone to take charge. That said, as United know very well, there are days when everything clicks and big scores can be run up. Even Dzeko can be devastating on his day.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Manager: David Moyes

The new Manchester United manager is nearing the end of a start so tough he complained about it, and with a draw at home to Chelsea and defeat at Anfield the derby result will determine whether or not his side will come out on the credit side of the ledger. A poor performance could undermine players' and supporters' confidence, though United managed to look a lot like their old selves in the Champions League in midweek against Bayer Leverkusen, and the club's management deserves recognition for sticking to their guns and their principles in the crisis Wayne Rooney tried to force. If that was the biggest test of all for Moyes he has come through it, and Rooney appears to be thriving on the humble pie diet.

Defence

Not at its most convincing in conceding two goals to a fairly unimpressive Bayer Leverkusen in midweek, though the second one of those was after Moyes had made a few substitutions with his side 4-1 up. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic remain the first-choice centre-half pairing for occasions when experience and mental toughness are called for, though along with Patrice Evra they are not as nimble as they used to be and could be vulnerable to pace. City have real pace in Navas, though Pellegrini has also been sticking with a big fella up front in either Dzeko or Negredo, and United will be happy to deal with crosses.

Midfield

Eyebrows were raised at Moyes's acquisition of Marouane Fellaini from Everton and his somewhat lame excuse for paying £4m over the odds for the combative midfielder. The £27.5m capture has been rather more convincing since he turned up, slotting into a defensive role that allows him to break up opposing attacks while still moving forward for the occasional shot. He does not look out of place playing for United, has deceptively good control for a tall player, and his solidity alongside Michael Carrick allows the wide players in the side to push further up the field. Despite fewer minutes on the pitch he has made more tackles in league matches this season than Touré, though some of those were for Everton.

Attack

Now that Rooney appears content playing alongside Robin van Persie and even Sir Alex Ferguson has given his blessing to the partnership, United should cause problems for most defences. Makes you wonder what all the fuss was about really; had Ferguson played them in tandem against Real Madrid last season we might have been spared a summer of angst. Yet it was not just Rooney benched for that game, Shinji Kagawa was also left out. It was Danny Welbeck who played behind Van Persie, and United were doing pretty well until Nani's dismissal. Moyes has plenty of attacking options – he just needs time to find out what works best.

Manchester City v Manchester United: Squad sheets

For the 166th Manchester derby United arrive at the Etihad Stadium with the same tally of points as City. While this indicates stuttering domestic form, Tuesday evening's Champions League group games provided confidence boosts for both teams, with Manuel Pellegrini's side winning 3-0 and David Moyes's 4-2. The Scot can be content with the way Wayne Rooney has started the campaign – three goals and a fresh focus – while his Chilean counterpart will be pleased at how his first-choice strikers, Sergio Agüero and Edin Dzeko, each scored on Tuesday. The cliche states that form is out the window for this occasion so picking a winner is foolish but there is sure to be incident.

Kick-off Sunday 4pm

Venue Etihad Stadium

Last season Man City 2 Man Utd 3

Referee H Webb

This season G4, Y9, R0, 2.3 cards per game

Odds H 5-4 A 13-5 D 12-5



Manchester City

Subs from Pantilimon, Wright, García, Lescott, Jovetic, Negredo, Richards, Rodwell, Nasri, Clichy, Milner, Guidetti

Doubtful Clichy (thigh), Richards (hamstring), Silva (thigh)

Injured Demichelis (knee, 26 Oct)

Suspended None

Form DWLWLW

Discipline Y5 R0

Leading scorer Negredo, Touré 2

Subs from Lindegaard, Buttner, Giggs, F da Silva, Anderson, Zaha, Januzaj, Evans, Cleverley, Hernández, Young, Nani, Welbeck, Varela

Doubtful Welbeck (knee)

Injured Jones (ankle, 28 Sep), R da Silva (hamstring, 5 Oct), Fletcher (bowel, unknown)

Suspended None

Form WLDWDW

Discipline Y8 R0

Leading scorer Van Persie 3

Wayne Rooney's Manchester United future a matter of steps, says Moyes

David Moyes has said he will take any contract negotiations with Wayne Rooney "step by step".

The Manchester United striker has returned from a bad gash to his head in sensational style, scoring three goals in a week, including a double in Tuesday's Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen that made him become only the fourth player in United history to reach 200 goals.

That has inevitably led to speculation the club may offer the 27-year-old a contract extension, something Sir Alex Ferguson appeared to pave the way for with his conciliatory statements on Thursday.

"I think we just go step by step," Moyes said. "If he could score another two goals at the weekend that would be the next step forward wouldn't it?

"He's played really well and we want him to maintain that. If anything I'm asking him to step up again. I want him to keep getting better."


However, Rooney's form has underlined the suggestion from the United camp at the start of pre-season that he had returned fitter than he had done for years. "Wayne was in great shape just before he damaged his hamstring in Thailand," said Moyes. "I told you that but I don't know if you all believed me.

"We thought [his hamstring] was going to be OK, but it wasn't. We kept him working really hard and he was in really good shape.

"I was really impressed with the condition he was in and the work he did in pre-season. He is getting the fruits of that. He's worked hard and is showing everyone exactly what he can do."

Moyes must decide on his lineup for Sunday, and his first encounter with Manuel Pellegrini since the City boss dumped him out of the Champions League qualifiers with his Villarreal side in 2005.

"There is an excitement for any derbies in any big city in the world," said Moyes. "I've experienced derby games in Glasgow and on Merseyside. They are all really important to your own supporters.

"They are important to the players as well but ultimately it's about what happens come the end of the season and how many points you get together to see who is top. These points could be really important towards that, but also they may not be."

Sir Alex Ferguson pleased with Wayne Rooney's return to form

Sir Alex Ferguson has lavished praise on Wayne Rooney in an apparent attempt to rebuild relations with the striker and convince him he can enjoy a long-term future at Manchester United.

Rooney's desire to leave this summer followed a breakdown with Ferguson, who stepped aside as manager at the end of last season but remains a club director and ambassador.

Rooney was aggrieved at Ferguson for dropping him for a key Champions League match against Real Madrid, using him out of his favoured position and suggesting he had made an official transfer request, which the club accept was not the case.

Ferguson's remark on Thursday that Rooney is back to his best will be seen as a push to repair that damage and strengthen his successor David Moyes's attempt to ensure the England international does not repeat efforts to force a transfer.

A summer move to Chelsea was blocked by the club and the player declined the opportunity to say he was happy at United after scoring two goals against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Ferguson, speaking about Rooney for the first time since he ended his long stint as manager, told MUTV of Rooney's contribution against Leverkusen: "Wayne's performance was fantastic, I was pleased to see that. He's got his energy back – the determination, his purpose to attack players, was all very encouraging to me. Being a director, I'm delighted to see that; he's back to what we always remember."

Rooney's contract runs to the end of next season and United are expected to offer the 27-year-old a new deal over the coming months if they continue to be impressed by his attitude after the summer problems.

Ferguson said Rooney's partnership with Robin van Persie, who also scored against Leverkusen, was highly valuable to the club. "We will have a fantastic chance [of success] because in Van Persie and Rooney, you have forwards who can win you games," he said.

Ferguson's apparent move for peace was echoed by another from across the city before Sunday's Manchester derby, with City's goalkeeper Joe Hart appealing for calm following incidents that marred last season's corresponding fixture in December which included Rio Ferdinand being struck by a coin and a home fan invading the pitch.


Ferdinand was hit as he celebrated Manchester United's late winner and Hart had to intercept the supporter who ran on to the Etihad Stadium pitch in an attempt to reach the central defender.

"There were incidents last year which no one wants to see repeated," said Hart. "The eyes of the world will be on this game as usual and I'm confident our supporters will do the club proud. Our fans are the best in the world and we want you to show your passion for the club, but in the right way."

In the wake of last year's events nine people were charged and Greater Manchester police have heightened their normal security procedures by instigating patrols to make sure no unsavoury graffiti can be daubed near the stadium after inflammatory messages were found in recent seasons.

Some of this cited the Munich air disaster of 1958, in which eight United players died, while other instances featured abuse directed at Marc-Vivien Foé, the former City midfielder who died while playing for Cameroon in 2003.

On Sunday sniffer dogs will be deployed to search out flares, after some were thrown last year, and there is also a move to try to prevent illegal substances being taken at the game. Officers will be issued with protective eyewear after violence broke out last December, with supporters also being filmed in the wake of goals or any other pivotal incidents to monitor behaviour.

On the concourses used solely by United fans on Sunday DVDs of last season's triumphant title challenge will be shown rather than images of goals scored by City players to try to maintain an acceptable atmosphere.

Wayne Rooney back in the goal routine – but without the joyfulness

Wayne Rooney has been keeping his head down and concentrating on his football, has he? Good for him. Heaven knows what sort of attention he might have attracted had he spent his summer angling for a transfer.

The television interviews that followed Manchester United's Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen revealed a lot through being so unrevealing. Rooney is clearly not going to discuss recent events and is planning to stick to a stonewalling technique that amounts to letting his football do the talking. His football is practically singing at the moment, never mind talking, but it hardly took Gabriel Clarke's question about happiness to establish that Rooney's heart is not doing the same. When Rooney is happy you do not have to ask him about it, you can tell from the way he illuminates the screen. Conversely when Rooney is uncomfortable, his lips supplying methodically neutral answers while his eyes indicate he would rather be elsewhere, it is obvious to all that something that used to be joyful and instinctive has become hideously complicated.

There is no guarantee, of course, that Rooney would have been transformed into a carefree bundle of enthusiasm had he turned up at Chelsea but at this particular stage of his career he probably needed the sort of challenge a move to London and the chance to work with José Mourinho would have offered. That would have been a sink-or-swim situation, struggle or thrive, and it might have brought the competitor in Rooney back to life.

There is a sense that Rooney now finds life too easy at United. Even the scoring records that keep being wheeled out and presented as glittering targets for the striker to attain are considered reachable, including Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time mark, as long as he stays at the club and stays in the team. Which at the moment he looks like doing because United have rejected the alternative. No one player can ever be bigger than the club, especially when the club in question is Manchester United, though one has the feeling Rooney has grown bigger than his present manager. When David Moyes was asked about his striker's state of mind and immediate future he had nothing more concrete to offer than body language. "He looks lean and fit and he is moving as well as he has ever done," Moyes said. "Any centre-forward who is scoring goals feels good about himself."

Rooney certainly looks lean and fit, even if the bit about feeling good about himself is more questionable. He still looks somewhat bruised and backed into a corner and, while time, games and goals may prove a remedy, it is safe to say we have all seen Rooney feeling better about himself. Yet if the name of the game this summer was to establish that he deserves a place in the United starting line-up and ought not to have been left out of the fateful Champions League tie against Mourinho's Real Madrid, Rooney has won his battle. He is back in the team for the foreseeable future. In tandem with Robin van Persie. Shinji Kagawa is the one being benched or played out of position on the left. Whatever Sir Alex Ferguson was planning when he brought in the Japanese playmaker from Dortmund has not come about.

Kagawa probably wishes he was back in Germany, where he was a regular starter and hugely popular, and come Christmas, if there is any justice, his wish ought to be granted. United barely needed Kagawa last season and need him even less now.

It will be interesting to see if Ferguson reveals in his forthcoming book exactly what he had in mind when bringing Kagawa, as well as Van Persie, into the club. The latter's qualities were obvious and, by virtue of staying fit for a season, Van Persie provided the goals and the attacking focus that brought the title back to Old Trafford. But when Van Persie started his first league game in Manchester, so did Kagawa, with Rooney on the bench. It was immediately clear that, set up in this way, United might soon find Rooney surplus to requirements. What supporters will be keen to discover is whether this was the source of Rooney's disenchantment or whether Ferguson was reacting to some perceived fall-off in commitment from the striker and insuring himself with an alternative arrangement.

Whatever the motivation, the revolution never took place. Kagawa's technical excellence and ability to open up defences with quick, accurate passing remains a German theory that has never been properly validated in this country. His defenders would say he needs a decent run in the team in his favoured position but that is not going to happen any time soon, because his favoured position is the one currently occupied by Rooney. It is one or the other and the only time you could have both would be by leaving out Van Persie. If Rooney and Van Persie are the future, then Kagawa's future will have to be elsewhere.

Moyes did the square thing by giving him a start against Leverkusen but Kagawa will not have enjoyed playing on the left of midfield any more than Rooney used to and in any case United have a long list of players who are better out wide. Moyes has been accused of not seeing the value of Kagawa, though in truth this is a problem he inherited. Ferguson, too, had second thoughts last season. It was not only Rooney who was left out for the home tie against Madrid; Kagawa joined him on the bench. Ferguson used Danny Welbeck as the forward just behind Van Persie and United were doing pretty well until they were compromised by the unfortunate decision to dismiss Nani.

It is all history now, which one fears is what Kagawa's promising career will be if he has to spend too much longer on the Old Trafford sidelines. To get a run in the team he will have to displace Rooney or Van Persie and on current form, not to mention off-the-field politics, both roads appear to be barred. So United have failed with a bold attempt to change the way they play and import a little of Dortmund's explosive attacking fluency but on the other hand they have kept Rooney and he is playing very well. All things considered, and with due regard for Kagawa's sadly stalled progress, that seems like a positive outcome.

United could have scored as many goals as Real Madrid did in Turkey but for the scarcely credible misses by Rooney and Van Persie. With a Manchester derby at the weekend and City struggling for consistency in the league, United ought to be full of swaggering confidence. They have made a solid enough start and Moyes has answered most of the questions raised about his suitability for the job – except the ones about Rooney obviously. Even Rooney does not answer those. And neither does Mourinho, though watching Chelsea at Everton on Saturday, one could see why they were, and still might be, in the market for a powerful, direct striker.

Rooney declares truce with Man Utd

It may be premature to start proposing the renewing of vows and a second honeymoon, but Wayne Rooney and Manchester United have become a civil partnership again.  While much has been made of the blunt response to questions surrounding his future in a television interview in the aftermath of Manchester United’s 4-2 Champions League victory on Tuesday, several minutes later Rooney was cordially engaging with reporters to address some of the lingering issues.

Rooney insisted he sees Robin van Persie as a goalscoring partner rather than a rival for his position, their combination play against Bayer Leverkusen once more showing how they complement each other.

He offered an insight into a developing working relationship with new (and former) manager David Moyes, who deserves credit for his exemplary handling of a difficult inheritance, overseeing Rooney’s fine start to the season.

Rooney also emphasised how his attitude on the pitch could and should never have been questioned, regardless of what may have gone on behind the scenes during the summer.

What was most clear, however, is that Rooney’s primary and immediate focus is producing his best form for club and country and there is no obvious appetite from him, or indeed anyone surrounding him, to reignite the debate about what the next few years have in store.

“I have put my head down and worked hard and tried to do everything right. I have tried to show the right attitude,” said Rooney.

“I have always felt that’s a really important thing to do. That’s paying off for me on the pitch. I feel fit and ready to do well.”

Moyes made it clear when he joined the club that he saw Rooney and Van Persie working in tandem, a contrast to the perception that it would be one or the other in the key fixtures.

This was the fear Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho attempted to exploit when suggesting Rooney needed to be a ‘first choice’.

Asked if there was a ‘senior’ player in their partnership, Rooney said: “No. I have seen things said over the summer but me and Robin are friends off the pitch. There is no problem between me and Robin at all. We are great friends and we want to help each other and be successful.

“I think the manager has made it clear that he wants one up and one behind and whatever way round that is it doesn’t matter to me.

"It doesn’t matter as long as one is always filling in behind and helping out the midfield. We have done the work together and the times we played together last season we did well so hopefully we can play more together this season and do well. We dovetail well and try and help each other score goals.”

Rooney celebrated his 200th goal for the club by welcoming the target set by Moyes to become the leading striker in the history of Manchester United, overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s 249.

Rooney said: “It’s always a challenge. It’s a massive football club and it’s amazing how long that record has stood for. So it’s great to get to 200. That’s a great honour and I’m really proud of that.

“To be edging closer to Bobby Charlton’s record is great for me and I think the most important thing for me was to get back playing and get amongst the goals and hopefully that will put me in good stead for coming games.

“I feel good. I’ve had some good training the last few weeks. It’s been stop-start with the injuries but I have just kept my head down and worked hard and now I’ve played and got some goals.

“The training is a bit different under the new manager. I remember it from Everton, it’s more intense. That’s helping me. I feel good and am glad to be out playing.”

Moyes must have felt as much of a peacemaker as manager in the early weeks of his reign, walking into a tense situation he did not create.

There is some validity to the argument that if the managerial change had not been made at Old Trafford, the relative serenity between Rooney and the club which is now apparent would have been impossible.

“It’s obviously good to be working with him again,” said Rooney. “He’s a great manager and thoroughly deserves this job. Because of what he did at Everton.”

Rooney’s early-season form is also good news for England, and he was heartened by the recent draw against Ukraine. “It was a great point,” he said.

“It’s not nice being back here when the team is away for such an important game. I got a chance to see what the press were saying before the game and they were all saying that a point would be good no matter what the performance was like. But then we got a point and were slaughtered!

"The most important thing was to come back with something and now it’s in our own hands. We are in a good position but there are two tough games to come. We have to be confident and we are. We are at home and Wembley is a big pitch and we will be well prepared.”

Manchester United - Bayer Leverkusen 4-2

Manchester United - Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Moyes's first group game in Champions League

The Scot takes charge of the Red Devils' first European game of the post-Ferguson era and will be looking to make full use of home advantage when Sami Hyypia's men come to town.Bayer Leverkusen head to Old Trafford on Tuesday with every chance of picking up a result in David Moyes's first European venture since taking over the reins at Manchester United.The Red Devils head into Tuesday's encounter against the Germans ready to compete at the business end of the Champions League for an 18th successive season, with their sights set on a fourth title, but, although it is business as usual for the Premier League champions, the match represents new territory for their new manager.

The Scot faces a dilemma over the fitness of Wayne Rooney after the England striker played the full 90 minutes of United's 2-0 win against Crystal Palace on Saturday wearing a special headband to protect a head wound that ruled him out of international duty.Meanwhile, in the opposing dugout on Tuesday will be a fellow rookie in the competition in the shape of Sami Hyypia, a former player with United's Premier League rivals, Liverpool, and a winner of this trophy as a player with the Anfield club back in 2005.

Leverkusen make the journey to Old Trafford having never won in the country after two draws and six losses on English soil.

While United only added Marouane Fellaini to their first-team squad as the transfer window slammed shut, Leverkusen made no fewer than 10 additions to the group available to Hyypia, while a further 13 players departed during a busy close-season.

Their new-look squad appear to have gelled well as they sit in third place in the Bundesliga after five matches, with Hyypia once again likely to look to in-form duo Sidney Sam and Stefan Kiessling to lead their charge, with both having scored four times already this campaign - including in Saturday's 3-1 win over Wolfsburg.

Rooney fury over transfer questioning

Wayne Rooney has refused to quash speculation about his future at Old Trafford by responding angrily to transfer questions after Manchester United's 4-2 Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen last night.Rooney struck twice to take his Manchester United career tally to 200 goals as David Moyes's side cruised to victory in their European opener.

But, when asked about speculation linking him with Chelsea during the summer, Rooney failed to commit to United and reacted angrily to further questioning.

Asked by ITV interviewer Gabriel Clarke whether he is happy at Old Trafford, Rooney said: "Listen, I'm concentrating on my football as I've done all summer.

"I've got my head down and I've worked hard to get myself fit and ready for the season, so I'm delighted in the way I've come back and delighted I'm back playing and scoring goals."

United announce record revenue

Manchester United have announced record annual revenue, rising by 13.4% to £363.2million for the year to June 30, 2013.With new deals being announced on almost a weekly basis, it is no surprise that commercial revenues have risen a huge 29.7% to £152.5m for the year ended June 30, 2013.

It is the most significant rise in the 13.4% overall increase in turnover to a club record of £363.2m. The club's debt has fallen by 10.9% to £389.2million.

The adjusted profit for the period is £17.2m.


Wages have risen 11.6% to £180.5m, partly as a result of the club taking on more staff to work on its new digital operation, but also an increase in player salaries.

United have reported a rise in sponsorship revenue alone of 44.1% to £90.9m.

However, broadcast revenue dipped 2.3% to £101.6m as United gained only a 25% share of Champions League revenue paid to England's four competing clubs last season, due to a second-place finish behind Manchester City in the previous campaign.

An increase in matchday revenues of 10.5% to £109.1m was mainly due to Old Trafford being a host Olympic venue, while the club confirmed "exceptional items" costs of £6.2m were partly due to costs incurred with the flotation in New York, but also contracts of coaching staff - Mike Phelan, Rene Meulensteen and Eric Steele - being paid up following the summer departure of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was also stated in the results that net finance increased £21.3m to £70.8m, primarily due to a £22m premium paid to buy back some of its bonds, which will save interest payments in future years.

The impressive commercial results come as United are explaining their troublesome transfer window to supporters, with communications director Phil Townsend insisting funds were available to Moyes, even though he only ended up signing Marouane Fellaini from Everton.

"The club has always backed the manager in the transfer market, as Sir Alex (Ferguson) has said on many occasions and it will continue to do so," said Townsend in a letter to fans who wrote to United for an explanation of what appeared an underperforming transfer window.

"The club has demonstrated its belief in, and commitment to, David Moyes through the award of a six-year contract.

"Allowing him to shape the future Manchester United team is a long term project not an eight-week panic.

"He must be given time to assess his new squad and come to his own decisions on which players he feels will strengthen it.

"Additional resources were there to add to that but it was not possible to agree with other clubs for the right players to leave.

"The key point there is that the players we buy have to be the right ones for Manchester United; not just any player."

The news was revealed on the same day the club announced regional sponsorship agreements with Commercial Bank of Qatar and Emirates NBD Bank.

United have signed five-year deals with the banking organisations that will see them become official financial services partners in Qatar and United Arab Emirates respectively.

As part of the separate agreements, both organisations will have the rights to produce United-branded credit, debit and prepaid cards. In addition, Emirates NBD Bank will also market its own Manchester United savings account.

Man Utd defend David Moyes

Manchester United have defended manager David Moyes after fans criticised the club's late and limited transfer activity during the summer window.
Marouane Fellaini's arrival from Everton was their only summer signing.

"The club has demonstrated its commitment to David Moyes in the award of a six-year contract," said director of communications Phil Townsend.
"Allowing him to shape the future Manchester United team is a long-term project not an eight-week panic."Fellaini's arrival came late on transfer deadline day, but the club failed with moves for Everton defender Leighton Baines, Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera and Real Madrid left-back Fabio Coentrao.
Moyes was also unsuccessful earlier in the summer with two bids for Barcelona players when former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas chose to stay at the Nou Camp and midfielder Thiago Alacantara opted to join German side Bayern Munich.
"The club had two main priorities for the transfer window," added Townsend in a letter to supporters.
"The first was to keep Wayne Rooney.
"He is a world-class player and the manager is very keen to have Wayne as a key part of the club's drive to retain the Premier League trophy. That aim was fulfilled.
"The second priority was to add a midfield player, and the capture of Fellaini has met that need."

David Moyes tips striker to be Man Utd great

Manchester United boss David Moyes told striker Wayne Rooney he could become one of the club's "real greats" as he tried to persuade him to stay at Old Trafford during the transfer window.Rooney, 27, became only the fourth player to score 200 United goals with his brace during the 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday after being linked with a summer move to Chelsea."It was something we made him aware of [over the summer]," said Moyes. "He has a real chance to be one of the all-time leading goal-scorers at this club."The England striker was United's inspiration as they comfortably beat their German visitors, with Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia also on target.Rooney scored in each half to reach the milestone for a club he joined from Everton in 2004. - and only Sir Bobby Charlton (249), Denis Law (237) and Jack Rowley (211) have achieved the feat before."Wayne Rooney could join the real greats with his goal-scoring," added Moyes, who was making his managerial debut in the group stages of the Champions League.

"If he keeps playing like he did he will get there. He was very, very good."He looks like he is moving as well as he has done. He is in a good place himself at the moment and obviously any centre-forward who is scoring goals feels good about himself."Rooney hopes to repay United's "brilliant" fans for their support this season after a summer of uncertainty."I am concentrating on my football. I have got my head down and worked hard. I am delighted with the way I have come back," he said after Tuesday's victory."It has gone quickly, my time here. I am really pleased to score 200 goals for a club like Manchester United. It's a great honour."