Rooney brace fires United to win

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United equalled their record 29-match unbeaten league run by beating Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford.

Rooney took just 50 seconds to open United's account, then added another in first-half stoppage time.

But it took a rare Nemanja Vidic effort to calm a few nerves after Darren Bent had pulled one back for the visitors.

There were just 50 seconds on the clock when Edwin van der Sar launched a clearance deep into Villa territory from just outside his own area. Rooney took one touch to control, then belted the ball past Brad Friedel.

With the exception of one Bent effort, United dominated thereafter.

Dimitar Berbatov failed to threaten with a couple of close-range efforts. Nani got a bit closer, one attempt bringing a brilliant save out of Friedel. Ryan Giggs also made the veteran American work with a mazy run and shot that forced a low save by the post.

Yet, as injury-time approached, United were still waiting for that crucial second which would have set their minds at ease.

Having started the half by finding the net, it was appropriate Rooney should finish it that way too. Nani looked up and saw Rooney at the far post. The delivery was perfect, curling round the back of the Villa defence, too far out for Friedel to contemplate an interception, then dropping perfectly for Rooney, who tapped home with ease.

Yet what looked like an easy win, turned into a very nervous few minutes in the second half as Villa found some inspiration. Stewart Downing took out Rio Ferdinand with an excellent cross and Bent did what Gerard Houllier paid £23million for, finishing with ease.

Nemanja Vidic is not noted for scoring with anything other than his head. But, having nodded the ball on to Rooney from a United corner, the Serbian hung around long enough to receive the return, striding on to it confidently before drilling past Friedel.