The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rooney revival sparked by life under Moyes
WAYNE ROONEY admitted he had been given a “new lease of life” under David Moyes as his performance inspired Manchester United to a much-needed Champions League win at home to Real Sociedad last night.
The England international, who had looked set to leave Old Trafford in the summer after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, created the only goal in the 1-0 win, which was turned into his own net by Inigo Martinez.
Ferguson, now a director at Old Trafford, talked about his relationship with Rooney, laying bare his fitness concerns for the player, in his autobiography published this week, but the striker said he was not fazed by the comments.
Rooney, who had hit the post in the buildup to the goal, said: “I haven’t seen him since he retired. I’m happy under the new manager.
“The new coach that has come in ( has given me) a new lease of life, I’m really enjoy working under David Moyes.”
Asked if he would respond to Ferguson’s comments, he said: “No, I’m happy playing football. That’s the past, I’m looking to the future.”
United put their league woes to one side to stay top of Group A but had many more chances to seal the points.
Bayer Leverkusen are a point behind the English champions after they beat Shakhtar Donetsk 4-0.
Stefan Kiessling put the ‘ghost goal’ controversy of the weekend behind him to score in either half with a Simon Rolfes penalty and Sidney Sam strike after halftime serving to overrun Shakhtar.
Manchester City’s Group D win over CSKA Moscow was marred by alleged racial abuse with Yaya Toure calling on UEFA to take strong action.
The City midfielder appeared to be the target of monkey-chanting from a section of the home support during City’s 2-1 victory at the Khimki Arena.
City have confirmed they intend to make a formal complaint to UEFA.
The club have spoken to the European governing body’s match delegate and will follow up with a written notice after their return to Manchester.
The incident comes 18 months after Porto were fined £16,700 after their fans racially abused Mario Balotelli during a Europa League clash against City in February 2012.
Toure, who complained to the referee during the second half, said: “I’m not just disappointed, I’m furious. I’m very, very disappointed about what those fans have done today and I think UEFA has to take action because players with the same colour of skin will always be in the same position.
“I want to see UEFA do something and take some action.
“We have to be as strong as possible otherwise they will continue like that.
Manchester City are second behind grpo up leaders Bayern Munich after Sergio Aguero’s double saw them battle back from a goal down in the Russian capital.
Zoran Tosic put CSKA ahead after 32 minutes but Aguero’s double arrived within 10 minutes.
Keisuke Honda was denied a leveller in the final minute of injury-time by City goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Defending champions Bayern swept aside Viktoria Plzen 5-0 at the Allianz Arena.
Franck Ribery scored in either half and with David Alaba, Mario Gotze and Bastian Schweinsteiger also on target it was three wins from three for Pep Guardiola’s side.
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney proved the inspiration behind a crucial 1- 0 Champions League win over Real Sociedad last night.
Rooney, who celebrates his 28th birthday today, slalomed through the visitors’ defence in the second minute of a thrilling European tie.
And while what proved to be the winning goal was turned into his own net by Inigo Martinez, the credit was all Rooney’s as it was his shot that cannoned off a post and into the hapless defender.
Meanwhile, Sergio Aguero struck twice in Russia to push Manchester City towards the Champions League knockout stages with a 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow.