Man United boss backs Wayne Rooney to embark on goal-scoring run

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney’s double in Sunday’s Manchester derby will mark the beginning of a goal-scoring run for the Manchester United striker.

Rooney appears to have found his touch in front of goal again after a mixed start to the season, with his first-half brace at Eastlands coming after his double in a man-of-the-match display at Reading the week before.

The 27-year-old has scored 10 goals for the Red Devils so far this term and the Manchester United boss is now expecting the forward to find the net consistently during the notoriously hectic festive fixture schedule.

“Wayne has weighed in with his two goals and it’s great to see because knowing him, he will go on a run now,” Ferguson said after United’s dramatic 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium. “That’s the kind of player he’s always been.

“His finishes were terrific. They were good cut backs from Ashley Young and Rafael. The first goal was down to Ashley Young’s determination to get beyond defenders and play him in and he knocked it into the corner of the net.

“They were two good finishes. He’s made a really good contribution.”