Wayne Rooney (http://www.theinfostride.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=196842/index.html)'s double swept Manchester United to the top of the Premier League for the first time this year as West Bromwich Albion were brushed aside 2-0 at Old Trafford.
Rooney took his seasonal tally to 26 with a goal either side of the interval as United took advantage of Manchester City's shock defeat at Swansea City to assume that familiar position at the head of affairs on the title run-in.
And with United at relegation-haunted Wolverhampton Wanderers next Sunday, City could find themselves four points adrift before they take to the field again, against resurgent Chelsea, at the Etihad Stadium on 21 March. That it could turn out to be such a pivotal day should not come as a surprise.
Since United won at Tottenham Hotspur a week ago, the battle to be champions has been condensed into who wins the derby on 30 April, with the eight games in between largely an irrelevance. However, the traps that have to be negotiated on the path to glory are not insignificant as United, even with all their experience, so nearly found out and City did.
"I hope it is a significant day. We've turned it around and credit to the players for that," said United coach Sir Alex Ferguson. "They have shown great resilience and determination. We had a period of injuries but we have come through that now.
"We won't get nervous, we have the experience, we will keep on playing and it is good to see that type of temperament."
The Old Trafford outfit were still trying to adjust to a line-up with only one conventional winger in Ashley Young (http://www.theinfostride.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=299962/index.html) when Keith Andrews slid in to reach Liam Ridgewell's low left-wing cross. It seemed the Irishman was sure to score. Instead, he prodded his effort wide.
Then, when Chris Brunt had touched a 30-yard free-kick into his path, Andrew let fly with a thunderous shot that would have found the bottom corner had David de Gea, not for the first time in recent games, not made a fine, full-length save. It was the cue for Sir Alex Ferguson's side to awake from their slumber and Young to have an impact.
fifa.com
Too bad the same Rooney was unable to help them against Man City this Monday.He cannot meet Van Persie as the highest goal scorer.