By NEIL CUSTIS
THE Big Man is back.
That was the cry from Wayne Rooney when he recovered from injury and entered the England camp at the 2006 World Cup.
It could easily have rung out again last night as he returned to action and sent Manchester United into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
And it might well have done had he not missed yet another penalty for United that would have given him a second goal and capped his return.
Instead for the fifth time in nine attempts he failed from the spot — this one blazed high over the bar. The ball is yet to land.
Alex Ferguson warned him after missing in the 2-1 home win over Arsenal at the start of November that he could not afford to do that again.
So we can expect Robin van Persie to be picking the ball up the next time the referee points to the spot.
Not that it was all bad for Rooney on the night. His goal and first-half performance should not be forgotten.
The form of Van Persie meant his recent five- game absence was not felt quite as keenly as it would have been last season.
But this is a player who still has a major contribution to make to his club’s season.
It was not quite vintage stuff from a much-changed United team last night.
Nor was it ‘the great win’ the United website had rather prematurely claimed before the game as they rather over- enthusiastically tried to promote sales of tickets for the visit of Fulham in the next round.
Indeed West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was furious that he was not at least afforded extra-time on the night when a clear handball by Rafael was denied a penalty.
As it was, Rooney’s ninth-minute goal decided it as he picked up where he left off before his knee injury making it six goals in as many games. He might love his new deeper role in this team simply because he sees more of the ball.
More than a goalscorer now, he creates, dictates and runs the show when he is at his best.
But still never think his ability in front of goal has been dimmed.
The move leading to his goal saw Anderson, also back from injury, deliver a through ballto split Jordan Spence and James Tomkins.
Mexican ace Javier Hernandez was on to it, charged forward, looked up and saw Rooney pull behind two defenders.
The square pass was just what Rooney wanted and he did the rest, sliding in to net.
Rooney kissed his hands and pointed to the sky in a tribute to his wife’s sister Rosie who had died aged 14 at the start of the month.
Rooney was energised by the goal — charging here and there.
When he received a ball from Rafael, he was marshalled by the towering Alou Diarra.
But the little bulldog in Rooney would not let him lose the ball.
Barging into a man twice his size he kept control and then forced a corner out of the West Ham player.
From the short corner, Ryan Giggs found Antonio Valencia, who played a delightful chip into the area for Nani.
And his first-time drive was only denied a goal by the sliding Dan Potts.
Then three minutes before the break Rooney almost had a second. Receiving a ball from Alexander Buttner he eased past Carlton Cole and released a shot that forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into a full-length save.
At the start of the second period, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce would have been furious had Hernandez taken his chance to stretch United’s advantage.
At the other end of the pitch, Cole had a good shout for a penalty when the ball bounced off Rafael’s chest — and he then appeared to flick it away with his arm.
The appeals were turned down and United broke with Rafael providing the final ball.
Diarra should have had it but lost control and Hernandez, given a clear chance on goal, spooned his chance over.
West Ham, however, were not finished in this tie and began their best spell of the game, which almost brought an equaliser.
From a corner Winston Reid just failed to connect from close range.
Then, when Phil Jones failed to intercept Spence’s ball down the right flank, Matthew Taylor was in.
Cole was waiting at the far post and Taylor tried to find him but Rafael was back to intercept and an expectant Allardyce ended with his head in his hands.
The Hammers kept the pressure on with Taylor firing over when given a clear shot at an angle.
Allardyce sensed they could get something and sent Jack Collison and Kevin Nolan into the action.
Ferguson was clearly worried and in turn sent on his own Mr Reliable — Michael Carrick — in place of the fast-fading Anderson.
Any worries for Ferguson should have been dispelled 11 minutes from time when Giggs’ cross hit the hand of Spence and the ref pointed to the spot.
Rooney missed and the gloss was taken off his night. But the big man will be back.
