Manchester United have sealed their place in the 2015/16 Champions League Group Stages after knocking up a 7-1 scoreline on aggregate against Belgian opposition Club Brugge.
The game finished 4-0 at the Jan Breydel Stadium and the lads will thankfully return to Manchester injury free.
Goals (Rooney hat-trick, Herrera 1 + Hernandez missed penalty)
Wayne Rooney struck after 20 minutes to end his goal drought and added two more after the interval, therefore, the club captain celebrated his first hat-trick in four years and first European treble since his United debut some 11-years-ago against Fenerbahce.
Speaking of Rooney’s goal drought, admittedly, I have been on his case and tonight doesn’t really change the fact he’s been performing poorly. It was Club Brugge but it will certainly boost his confidence and hopefully the Wazza of old returns in time for Swansea.
Ander Herrera also got his name on the scoresheet after a much improved second half performance. Then, as full time was upon us, United won a penalty which Javier Hernandez fluffing his chances from the spot.
Bless you, Herrera. Our new number 10
Regardless of the disappointment that comes with missing penalties, the improvement United made from the first half will be a talking point for many reds on their travels back from Brugge. The transition Herrera made as a deep lying midfielder to a number 10 made United electric going forward.
Despite a poor first half from the Spaniard, fans will be understandably disappointed if Louis van Gaal drops him to the bench on Sunday when United take on Swansea in the Premier League. He created and scored which is simply what is asked of a number 10.
Sergio RomerNO
Yes, he pulled off an important save before the interval but any striker with half a brain would not have took so long to pull the trigger. A bit like Rooney against Spurs but worse… because Kyle Walker wasn’t there to kick it into his own net.
Romero did well to jump at the Club Brugge player’s feet in time, although folk on social media immediately began comparing him with David de Gea. I’m simply not having that yet… Ever. EVer. EVEr. EVER.
But fair play to Romero nonetheless. That’s 4 clean sheets in 5 appearances for the Argentine. Hopefully we don’t suffer (m)any injuries in midfield and defence.
If looks could kill
While the result and second half performance will get people talking one of the highlights came from the dugout. Following the penalty miss by Hernandez, van Gaal and Ryan Giggs shared a moment.
The Mexican scuffed another chance late on and to be honest, it would have been easier to put it in the back of the net. Poor Chico. Whatever will we do with him? *Calls Slaven Bilic*
Bastian’s brother enjoying trip with United’s away support
There’s been reports suggesting Tobi Schweinsteiger, brother of Bastian, has been a life-long Red. If that’s the case it must be incredibly exciting to once follow his brother playing for Bayern Munich and now Manchester United.
Tobi shared a Vine on Twitter of United fans prior to the game singing a chant about his brother. Cute, eh?
During the game a PA announcement told the away support that those wishing to take the train to Brussels should leave now or else they will miss it. The response, perhaps predictably, was to sing ‘we’re Man United, we’ll do what we want.’ Moments later they mixed it up with ‘now you’re gonna believe us, we’re gonna miss the train.’
A good night was had. The prestigious Champions League returns to Old Trafford.