13 March 2006, by Sean Gillen

Ronaldo takes back seat as Rooney fires double

Manchester United 2-0 Newcastle

Cristiano Ronaldo had one of his quieter games as Manchester United dominated Newcastle with a brilliant attacking display at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney scored both goals early on as United registered 23 attempts on goal during the 90 minutes, in what was an extremely one-sided encounter.

Rooney scored his first in the 8th minute when he capitalised on a back pass by Ramage to lob Given.

His second came four minutes later. After some good build-up play from John O’Shea and Louis Saha, O’Shea fed Rooney and the 20-year-old fired past Given.

Louis Saha, who was again selected ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy, volleyed wide before missing two excellent chances to increase United’s lead. Rooney and Park could also have added goals before the break.

Ronaldo tests keeper

Ronaldo has been deadly from long-range recently and the Portuguese winger stung the hands of Shay Given with another free-kick, but the Newcastle ‘keeper parried the shot away shortly before half-time.

The former Sporting man had an excellent chance to continue his recent goalscoring streak after the break but, after a cutback from Rooney, he failed to find the target when well placed inside the area.

The outstanding Rooney also had several opportunities to complete his hatrick in the second half. After rounding Shay Given but only hitting the post from close range, Rooney then fired well over from Ronaldo’s pullback.

Ronaldo appeared disappointed as he was substituted with 15 minutes to go, replaced by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The chances kept coming for United though and after Ji-Sung Park had tested Given again, Saha and van Nistelrooy again missed very good opportunities.

Wayne Rooney went close a couple more times before being awarded the man of the match prize as United extended their advantage over second-placed-Liverpool.

After Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal, United are now 5-points clear in 2nd and will be hoping to secure the automatic Champions League spot as soon as possible.


Manchester United:
Van Der Sar, Neville, Silvestre (Evra, 45), Brown, Ferdinand, O’Shea, Giggs, Park, Ronaldo (van Nistelrooy, 75), Rooney, Saha
Yellow Cards: None

Newcastle:
Given, Ramage, Babayaro, Boumsong, Elliot, Parker, Emre, Solano (Dyer, 65), N’Zogbia (Luque, 81), Shearer, Ameobi (Bowyer, 45)
Yellow Cards: Ramage (73)

Goals:
[1-0] Rooney, 8
[2-0] Rooney, 12