Wayne Rooney ruled Old Trafford again on Sunday as Manchester United went back top of the Premier League but Dimitar Berbatov’s form in the 3-0 win over Fulham was equally satisfying for manager Alex Ferguson.

While the livewire Rooney notched his 31st and 32nd goals of a remarkable season, languid Bulgarian Berbatov provided the perfect foil with a display that oozed class.

Berbatov, who has never completely won over the Old Trafford faithful, produced a brilliant piece of play to set up Rooney’s second goal and got on the scoresheet himself to take his tally for the season to 10.

While that is hardly prolific for a player of Berbatov’s pedigree who has enjoyed being top dog at most of his previous clubs, Ferguson was more concerned with his silky contribution in other areas.

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Wayne Rooney scored his 30th goal of the season to help Manchester United beat AC Milan emphatically 4 – 0 at Old Trafford in their Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.

On a night that saw David Beckham return to where it all started for him, it was the current darling of the Old Trafford faithful who steered United into the quarterfinals by following up his double in the 3-2 first leg victory in Milan with another brace.

A first-half header put Sir Alex Ferguson’s side firmly in control and the the England striker killed the tie in the opening seconds of the second period.

Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher round off a memorable night as United eliminated their opponents for the first time in five attempts since two of European football’s iconic institutions first met, 52 years ago.

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Wayne Rooney says he is humbled by interest from other clubs, but insists that he will stay at Manchester United.

The England centre-forward has been in scintillating form this season, notching 19 Premier League goals to lead the way for the Red Devils as they adapt to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portuguese star Ronaldo left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in an £80million deal last summer and there is now reported interest from Real and Barcelona in Rooney.

But the 24-year-old insists he is enjoying life with top-of-the-table United.

He told www.manutd.com: “There’s always speculation, and when other big teams are talking about you, it’s nice that you’re talked about.

“But as I’ve said many times before, I’m a United player and I’m very happy here.”

On his ambitions for the club, Rooney added: “I hope we can win the title again this year.

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Could it be that Manchester United will not sign a new striker for next season with Wayne Rooney and Dimi Berbatov being the only two senior strikers?

The scenario has become a likelihood according to Fleet Street after Real Madrid’s capture of Karim Benzema prompted a number of broadsheet newspapers to predict that, short of options and reluctant to pay over the odds, Sir Alex Ferguson will not reinforce his arsenal after missing out on Benzema.

A refusal to add to his strikeforce in the summer that he has lost both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez would constitute one of the bravest/most remarkable gambles Ferguson has ever taken in his twenty-year reign at Old Trafford. However, Fleet Street is unanimous in its belief that Benzema’s decision to move to Spain has left United reeling and short of options.

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Wayne Rooney will not face any more disciplinary action from FA following the red card he received against Fulham over the weekend.

The Manchester United forward was sent-off for two bookable offences during the Premier League champions’ shock 2-0 defeat.

Although he had words with Phil Dowd after being shown the red card, the official has confirmed he was not sworn at by Rooney, an offence which could have led to a longer ban.

However, the Football Association (FA) are to write to Rooney, whose temper has been a worry to some within the English game, about his conduct after the former Everton favourite punched a corner flag while leaving the pitch.

An FA spokesman said on Monday: “We have clarified with Phil Dowd that there was no abuse from the player after he was dismissed.

“In relation to the incident when he punched the corner flag, the referee did not see that and we have written to Wayne Rooney reminding him of his responsibilities.”

Rooney will now be suspended for one match, the Premier League fixture against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, United’s home ground, on April 5.

Source: supersport.co.za