Rooney’s Brace Hurt West Ham

Two goals from Wayne Rooney, including a wonder strike from just inside the West Ham half, secured Manchester United a 2-0 victory at Upton Park.

Returning to league action after progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals with victory against Olympiakos, the England international netted twice as David Moyes’ men proved Wednesday’s result was no flash in the pan.

Rooney’s second saw him move onto 212 goals and usurp Jack Rowley as the third highest goalscorer in United’s history, but it was his first just eight minutes into the win that will live long in the memory.

The 28-year-old produced a moment of magic, sending the ball sailing over Adrian in a goal similar in audacity and skill to David Beckham’s wonder strike at Wimbledon in 1996.

Rooney’s display was certainly a timely shot in the arm for United, with Robin van Persie facing up to six weeks out with a sprained knee.

His enforced absence was one of the six changes from the midweek win over Olympiakos, with the visitors impressing from the outset in east London.