Devils cruise, Saints stutter
EUROPA LEAGUE: United crush Feyenoord, Southampton edged by Sparta
MANCHESTER: An angry Wayne Rooney was adamant last weekend that his critics in the media were trying to write his sporting obituary. On Thursday, he picked the moment to demonstrate that reports of his footballing demise had been greatly exaggerated.
With one bravura goal and another magical ‘no-look’ assist in the crucial 4-0 Europa League victory over Feyenoord at Old Trafford, England’s one-man footballing soap opera took a fresh twist after the most turbulent of weeks even by the 31-year-old’s dramatic standards.
A week earlier, Rooney had apologised for published pictures that had supposedly been taken of him Claude Puel’s side lost 1-0 away to Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic.
A solitary firsthalf goal by Zimbabwean full-back
Costa Nhamoinesu, firing a Borek Dockal free-kick past
Fraser Forster, was the difference between the sides at the Generali Arena.
“I think we played a good first half without a clinical edge, but after we lost the structure in the second half to keep our calm. It was not enough to win this game,” said Puel.
Southampton could have clinched qualification in different circumstances but instead they now face a decisive final Group K game against Hapoel Beer-Sheva at St Mary’s next month, while Sparta progress as group winners.
“Now it’s important to keep our concentration,” added Puel. “We have to play a very good game for the next game at home to make sure we qualify, for the players and fans.”
In Israel, Hapoel came from two goals down to record a remarkable 32 win over Inter Milan, whose troubles continue as they are eliminated.
Goals from Mauro Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic had the Italian giants in control after just 25 minutes.
However, Brazilian striker Lucio Maranhao reduced the deficit on 58 minutes and the Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme equalised from the penalty spot after Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had been sent off.
Elsewhere, Roma secured their place in the knockout phase as winners of Group E after Edin Dzeko netted a hat-trick in a comfortable 41 win at home to the Czech champions Viktoria Plzen.
Thirteen of the 24 qualifying berths for the knockout stage have been claimed with a round of group matches still to play, with 2012 finalists Athletic Bilbao also progressing.
The Basque side beat Italian outfit Sassuolo 3-2 at San Mames, with Raul Garcia and Inigo Lekue netting either side of a strike from the veteran Aritz Aduriz.
Athletic join Belgians Genk in Manchester United’s
attempts an overhead kick against Feyenoord in their Europa League match on Thursday. qualifying from Group F, while APOEL of Cyprus and Greek champions Olympiakos are now through from Group B and both Anderlecht and Saint-Etienne progress from Group C.
Krasnodar of Russia were the other team to clinch their place in the last 32 on Thursday after a 1-1 draw at home to Salzburg secured thanks to a late goal by Fedor Smolov. AFP
“People in the media are making a big deal over nothing. I didn’t set foot in the wedding and I think it’s a shame I have to be talking about it now after such a great victory.
“It’s a great feeling to score goals for this club. I am pleased, and there is plenty more to come.”
Even those who have been critical of some of United’s performances under Jose Mourinho, like former midfield international Paul Scholes, recognised this was time to salute the enormity of Rooney’s European milestone.
“It’s a fantastic achievement,” Scholes told BT Sport. “Everyone inside this club knows how special he is.” AFP