PRESS BOX VIEW - THE SUN

Last updated : 13 March 2006 By editor

‘Wayne Rooney’s first Premiership goals of the year lit up United's rampage and his own masterclass.

The England striker followed up his superb early double by somehow failing to complete the hat-trick his speed, skill and sheer volume of chances deserved.


An amazing Rooney miss - when he rounded Newcastle keeper Shay Given and saw his shot deflect off Robbie Elliott's backside onto the post - denied him a treble from his 11 efforts on goal.


He admitted: "We could have scored more - we should have, but I'm happy to get the two goals. I've been playing well enough although I haven't been scoring. I thought I did well, the whole team did well. The only disappointing thing was not to score more."


Rooney's romp set in as promptly as the eighth minute - after strike-partner Louis Saha, again picked ahead of Ruud Van Nistelrooy, had already wasted two clear opportunities.


Rookie full-back Peter Ramage passed back to Given without looking - and Rooney nipped in to angle a deft lob into the far corner from the corner of the area.


Saha's finishing rarely matches Van Nistelrooy's, but his pace and power have transformed United's overall attacking threat.’