Red Devils cruise to victory

Wayne Rooney
12 April 2012

Wayne Rooney scored for the first time since March as Manchester United condemned West Ham to a 3-0 defeat.

Rooney drilled home a first-half spot-kick after Jonathan Spector had fouled Ryan Giggs and from that moment the Red Devils never looked in danger.

Nani and Dimitar Berbatov also found the net after half-time as the Hammers sank to the foot of the table after their worst start to a season in the Premier League era.

Rob Green produced an excellent first-half save to deny Nani. He required the additional help of his crossbar after the United winger had latched onto Berbatov's lay-off and let fly from 20 yards.

Darren Fletcher was a similar distance out when he belted a right-footed drive that was destined for the top corner before Green pushed it away.

Thirteen matches for club and country had passed since Rooney put United ahead in their Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on March 30.

He kept any anxiety he might have been feeling well hidden as he strode up to take the penalty after Jonathan Spector had been beaten by Ryan Giggs and then made a clumsy attempt to retrieve the situation.

Five minutes after half-time, Nani profited from some excellent approach work from Paul Scholes and Rooney then beat Green with ease.

United duly collected a third when Berbatov propelled a perfectly-executed volley beyond Green after Nani had crossed to the far post.

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