Wayne Rooney scored four times to send Manchester United to the top of the Premier League and dismiss the challenge of Hull City on a day when supporters united to declare their dissatisfaction over the club owners and an on-the-pitch outcast gave a telling reminder of his frightening potential.

Writing yet another chapter of this curious season, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team selection, in resting Ryan Giggs and Anderson and leaving Antonio Valencia on the bench, seemed to be with the Carling Cup semi final second leg with Manchester City in mind. This meant that Nani was given another chance at redemption; and Michael Owen got a start alongside Wayne Rooney after their encouraging run out together late on at Eastlands. At the back, Rio Ferdinand returned after 3 months out to skipper the side.

With all due respect to Hull, United were strong favourites and played upto that billing with distinct domination in the first half. After some early sighters Paul Scholes brought the Old Trafford crowd to its feet with a stunning 30 yard drive in the 8th minute. Tigers keeper Boaz Myhill was imperious in their previous game at Spurs and he dealt with the ginger prices strike admirably where so many others in the past have not – however, he was then helpless to stop Rooney’s shot on the rebound.

Such an early goal threatened an onslaught; while chances came, the goals didn’t, and 10 minutes after the goal, having withstood territorial pressure, the visitors broke through Nick Barmby. The veteran created good space for himself but the angle was against him, making his effort comfortable for van der Sar. From then on though, the Champions dominated the rest of the half, coming close through Owen and then a Rooney free kick that went inches wide.

As could have been predicted, Rooney was at the heart of everything, but he found himself in familiar hot water 5 minutes before the break. After being cynically brought down and not being awarded the free kick, Rooney chased around, and when he next got the ball and was tackled fairly, he chased again, this time barging over Hunt. Referee Steve Bennett has needed no excuse to send off United players in the past but only gave a yellow.

Owen was certainly attempting to stake a claim for a first team place and almost got on the scoresheet twice in a matter of minutes. After exchanging passes with Park, Rooney and Nani, Owen found space but his shot was lacking in power or purpose. A header from Fletcher’s cross soon after was better but still comfortable.

The game was paused at the start of the second half as a coming together between Fagan and Evans lead to the referee’s assistant being sent flying, but thankfully recovered with no lasting damage. United continued to dominate and pepper regular shots towards Myhill’s goal but until Ferguson decided to make changes the major talking point was the constant chanting of “Love United, Hate Glazer” – on the pitch, Paul Scholes had been masterful – he was replaced by Darron Gibson having not wasted a pass, his last contribution being a header that went just over – it was the Champions’ twentieth effort on goal.

Despite their superiority a 1-0 scoreline is always precarious; United were reminded of this when Ghilas turned cutely and shot just wide. Nonetheless, it always seemed that a second goal would open the floodgates and so it proved.

Nani is a player who has frustrated most United supporters with his inconsistency and was seemingly on his way out of Old Trafford after his comments about selection policy in October, while he has always had to suffer the burden of constantly being compared to the best player in the world by virtue of nothing other than his position and passport. That frustration exists however because of performances like this one – he provided chance after chance and did nothing to diffuse the Ronaldo comparisons when he hit a stunning free kick from fully 35 yards – again, Myhill’s reaction was good, tipping the ball onto the crossbar, but the melee that resulted from the rebound saw Nani find Gibson when there must have been temptation to rocket another from long range. Gibson in turn fed Rooney who proceeded to smash the ball home and seal the result with eight minutes to go.

Hull complained that Dawson was down with a head injury after colliding with Myhill as the ball rebounded from the free kick; they might have had more of a point had they not had the chance to put the ball out themselves but instead chose to try and clear.

Yet more brilliance from Nani created Rooney’s hat-trick goal 4 minutes later, a fabulous cross from the right side was expertly guided in with the English striker’s head. And the rout was completed in injury time when sub Dimitar Berbatov showed one of his own exquisite touches, controlling the ball beautifully before flicking through to Rooney. Rooney’s first touch was key; the defenders could not react quick enough and the forward struck to register his 20th goal of the season and complete a 10 minute treble in front of the Stretford End.

United topped the table to considerably less fanfare than Arsenal in midweek and it has to be conceded that the others in the title race have games in hand, however the Champions look like they are hitting real form in the league right at the time they are famed for doing so.

Ratings : van der Sar 6, Rafael 6, Ferdinand 7, Evans 7, Evra 7 (Fabio), Nani 9, Fletcher 7, Scholes 8 (Gibson), Park 6, *Rooney 10, Owen 6 (Berbatov)

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Darron Gibson scored a wonder goal from 30 yards to move Premier League Champions Manchester United onto 90 points and make a mockery of the belief that Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to field an admittedly under strenght side would question the integrity of the league.

United’s opponents, Hull City, started the day in fear of relegation but were saved by Newcastle’s inability to get a point at Villa Park, making for a bizarre atmosphere at the KC Stadium.

The Red Devils had the majority of the play as the youngsters Sir Alex fielded rose to the occasion, despite the pressure of the importance of the game and that placed on them by the media to perform.

The majority of the chances came for the champions aside from that stunning Gibson strike, with Welbeck coming close after a couple of mazy runs – perhaps the young forward could have been a little more unselfish at the end of his runs – Macheda having a couple of opportunities that perhaps he could have done better with, and Nani being a constant threat.

With Barcelona looming on Wednesday Ferguson was denied the opportunity to play Rio Ferdinand – the defender now appears doubtful for the Champions League final – but gave chances to Wes Brown and Gary Neville as well as match time for Rafael. All three could be in contention to start should either Ferdinand or Evans fail to recover in time, and it is this issue that will probably have dominated the manager’s thoughts despite having to complete the Premier League fixtures today.

Source: (Yolkie)

Manchester United 4-3 Hull City

Nemanja Vidic’s first goal of the season, at 4-1, turned out to be the winner in a captivating match where surprise package Hull City threatened to provide a massive upset.

Premiership Champions United were rocked by Hull’s never say die attitude but managed to hold on for all three points. It was a contest of the home side flexing their exquisite skill, and the away side proving themselves to be every bit the Bolton 2003 re-incarnation. Individual performances from the likes of Anderson and Carrick were totally pleasing on the eye, though the sheer industry of the visitors meant they were always in with a shout.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring after just 3 minutes when his shot went in off the left hand post – and was greeted with a rapturous refrain of “Viva Ronaldo”. Daniel Cousin equalised for Hull with a goal almost identical to his winner at the Emirates – but just a couple of minutes later, Carrick had restored Uniteds lead.

Wayne Rooney was by and large wasteful in possession as his endeavour to score his 100th career goal weighed heavily, but he did superbly create an opening for Berbatov, who fed Carrick, who slotted in via the post. And with a minute to go until half time, Ronaldo made it three goals via the woodwork, as he was helped by the underside of the crossbar when heading a corner.

Rooney assisted Vidic’s half volley around the hour that seemed to settle the occasion – but Hull were totally game and pulled back. It was unlikely figure and ex-Wanderer Bernard Mendy who was the key man in the last half hour, first lobbing van der Sar to score – JUST – then being, arguably, brought down in the area by Rio Ferdinand. Geovanni scored with just 8 minutes to go, ensuring a tight finish.

The Red Devils were totally profligate in front of goal and it made for an entertaining fixture which could just as easily have ended up as 10-4. Fortunately for Sir Alex, the defensive frailties were not exposed to a costly extent, though with Celtic and Arsenal in back to back colossal away games next up, he will be hopeful they were all shook out against the Terriers.

Ratings : van der Sar 6, Neville 6, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Evra 6, Ronaldo 8, Carrick 8 (Giggs 6), *Anderson 8 (O’Shea), Nani 8 (Tevez 6), Rooney 7, Berbatov 6.

Source: (Yolkie)

View all of the goals from today’s game in the forum and also the Manchester United lineup against Hull City.