WAYNE ROONEY produced a master class yesterday to announce he is very much back in business.
By ALAN SHEARER
He was at the centre of Manchester United’s best display for some time in the 3-0 win at Newcastle.
The season started horribly for the player — poor against Everton, dropped, then injured.
The star of the show was Robin van Persie and Rooney’s Old Trafford future was coming under the spotlight.
But you cannot keep a player of this man’s ability down for long.
Looking fit again and firing on all cylinders, he was everywhere at St James’s Park.
Helping out his defence, available for a ball from the back, on a wing to cross the ball and in behind Van Persie directly through the middle.
When he is in this mood, he still ranks for me among the best in Europe. His touch, passing and energy made Manchester United tick.
Perhaps that axeing for the game against Fulham and his time out injured have helped to refocus him.
He had a great last league campaign but struggled at Euro 2012 and, maybe, was still recovering from that disappointment when he returned to his club for pre-season.
Boss Alex Ferguson made it clear nobody has a right to be in his team.Rooney effectively had the ball taken off him but yesterday he showed he wants it back for keeps.
A player of his calibre must be a joy for any manager, as you can play him anywhere in the team and get something from him.
If he was asked to play at right-back, he would probably be the best right-back as well.
Played down the middle as an out-and-out striker he is lethal.
Yet it makes him even more difficult to nullify when he is in the role he played yesterday, effectively floating where he wanted around the points of a diamond.
His performance overshadowed many others who need mentioning, not least Michael Carrick.
In front of the back four, he picked the ball up and set moves going, not putting a foot wrong all day.
Even the recently maligned defence played well, though keeper David De Gea still looks like an accident constantly waiting to happen.
I said last week that the absence of Nemanja Vidic for two months would be a massive blow to Ferguson’s side.
I still believe the title will be staying where it is at Manchester City or heading to Stamford Bridge.
Yet what Manchester United have proved to me is they will be pushing both sides every inch of the way.
Red faced
TALKING of the big four — didn’t Liverpool used to be one of them?
They are going to struggle to be in the top eight at this rate.
Another poor result at home in drawing to Stoke.
That is two points from 12 at Anfield and one win from seven league games this season.
Brendan Rodgers has got a massive job on there and is going to need time and patience from the board and fans.
When I say time I mean up to 12 months. It will be interesting to see if he gets it.
