United needed just under a minute to take the lead with Rooney heading home a cross from Antonio Valencia after releasing the Ecuadorian down the right.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had several other chances of scoring and were unlucky when Danny Welbeck was incorrectly ruled offside in the 23rd minute.
However, United doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Michael Carrick intercepted a loose square ball from Rangers midfielder Joey Barton. The England international was allowed to advance by the Londoners’ retreating defence and then beat Radek Cerny at the goal-keeper’s near post with a shot from the edge of the box. Despite the win, Ferguson felt his team could have done better.
“We should’ve put the game to bed after about half an hour,” he said. “It was a good team performance; we played some good football and will take a 2-0 win away from home.
“We have been a bit sparse in terms of goals scored recently but we won 4-1 last week against Wolves and scored two today although some would say we should’ve scored more.”
Liverpool down Villa
Elsewhere, Liverpool registered an equally convincing 2-0 win away to Aston Villa. Both their goals came from corners, with Craig Bellamy forcing the ball home from close range in the 11th minute.
Four minutes later, the unmarked Martin Skrtel rose high to head in past American keeper Brad Guzan.
Villas-Boas shrugs off Chelsea setback
Earlier, Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas maintained that his team’s confidence would not be dented by their late slip in the 1-1 draw at Wigan. The Blues had surged into the lead through Daniel Sturridge, only to see Jordi Gomez equalise with three minutes left.
The Stamford Bridge club have received plenty of criticism since the arrival of Villas-Boas but he insisted that the slip-up would not affect the mood of the team as they prepare to face Tottenham next week.
“We conceded a goal towards the end, which was disappointing as it prevented us from getting the three points we expected,” he said. “It’s a pity because the players had worked hard.
“But the confidence won’t be affected. I don’t think it undoes the positivity we had created.”
In other matches, West Brom beat Balckburn 2-1, while Newcastle’s mini-slump continued as Swansea held out for a 0-0 draw. Everton drew 1-1 with Norwich and Stoke beat the Wolves 2-1.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2011.
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