• Champions League

Rooney getting back to his best - Ferguson

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 7, 2010
Wayne Rooney looked lively against Valencia © Getty Images
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is "quickly'' progressing towards top form after his performance in the 1-1 draw against Valencia.

Rooney was instrumental in United's attacking play, hitting the bar with a curling effort in the first half and linking well with strike partner Dimitar Berbatov. Anderson's second half goal secured United top spot in Group C after Pablo Hernandez opened the scoring.

But it was the performance of Rooney that caught Ferguson's eye and the Scot said he thinks the England striker is rapidly apporaching his best form.

"Absolutely, he did very well again tonight,'' the United boss told Sky Sports. "His distribution, his leading of the line and his workrate were outstanding tonight. He's getting there, and he's getting there quickly.''

Ferguson said of Rooney's partnership with Dimitar Berbatov: "We've seen flashes of it. Maybe not as much as against Blackburn, for instance, but Berba tonight could have scored another five. He's been unlucky not to score tonight.''

Rooney admits there is more room for improvement but is happy with his progress. "I feel good fitness-wise,'' he said. "Just in and around the box I've got to get my sharpness back but overall I'm happy with my fitness and with my performance.''

Rio Ferdinand limped off five minutes after the break but Ferguson revealed the early assessment was that he had not done any lasting damage to his hamstring.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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