Rooney and Co in their manager’s good books
PERCEIVED wisdom decreed that David Moyes’ lack of Champions League experience would leave him horribly exposed to the pressures of being Manchester United manager.
Right now, it is Europe that is providing him with a refuge.
Progress towards the knockout stages of the competition beckons after a victory over Real Sociedad, which proved to be more slender than it should have been, carried them to the summit of Group A with the cushion of a point.
There was not to be the fl urry of goals, despite chances to score them, to pep confi dence ahead of attentions turning to domestic matters and the Spaniards – who twice struck David de Gea’s woodwork – could never be kept more than an arm’s length away.
Yet Inigo Martinez’s second- minute own- goal after a smattering of stardust from Wayne Rooney proved defi ning and a win in San Sebastian on Bonfi re Night would as good as see United into the last 16.
In the area which normally seats the away fans for Premier League games at Old Trafford, a singing section was trialled for the fi rst time.
“I do understand that here at home you are sometimes waiting for the team to lift you,” wrote Moyes in his programme notes. “But sometimes the team needs you as well.”
Last night, one helped the other. United exploded out of the blocks and ensured the stadium rocked to a raucous beat. There was intrigue to the absence of Robin van Persie with the offi cial explanation from his manager being the striker had “two bad toes and has been complaining about his groin”, which hardly sounded like the ailments of someone willing to run through a wall for the cause.
Of course, that was the accusation levelled against Rooney not so long ago and publicly revisited by Sir Alex Ferguson in his book, but whatever else has been levelled against Moyes in the early weeks of his tenure it is undeniable that he has coaxed and cajoled attitude and appetite back into the forward. Rooney deserves credit as well and his eagerness to make an impact was evident from outset. He picked up possession wide on United’s left, just outside the Sociedad penalty area, and embarked on a jinking, slalom run past Markel Bergara and Mikel Gonzalez, dropping his shoulder to hoodwink Carlos Martinez before shooting.
His effort beat the outstretched fi ngertips of Claudio Bravo, but thudded against the inside of his post and rebounded out to where Inigo Martinez, spooked by the presence of Javier Hernandez, inexplicably diverted the ball into his own goal. The failure of United to glean further reward for their superiority encouraged Sociedad back into a contest that should have been beyond them .
Ryan Giggs was hassled into an error from which Haris Seferovic forced De Gea into his fi rst save of note, before he was left to count his good fortune. Moyes was on the touchline as United lost their way and it was from there that he saw Antoine Griezmann’s curling free- kick strike the top of the post with De Gea nowhere.
Former Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela was inches away from Griezmann’s cross immediately after the interval and shortcomings that had carried a sting in the tail against Southampton last weekend reared again for United.
Jonny Evans was brave to block David Zurutuza and fortunate that a miscued clearance seconds later went over his own bar, not under it.
Breathing space should have arrived in the 54th minute when Shinji Kagawa fl oated a cross to the back post but the unmarked Phil Jones planted his header at Bravo, who saved smartly.
It sparked a breathless passage in which Antonio Valencia struck the post, Kagawa dallied and was denied by Carlos Martinez when unmarked in front of goal, and Alberto de la Bella struck the woodwork with a cross.
Moyes does not need to pen a 350- page tome to bare his soul. His innermost feelings are etched across his face: delight anxiety, and, ultimately, relief.