Rooney magic

galular

Old Trafford

Sir Alex Ferguson's long memory could not recall a better goal at Old Trafford. .

They were debating the moment 78 minutes into the Manchester derby when Rooney cast aside a season of relative under-achievement and with a strike that had a fitting home in the self-styled "Theatre Of Dreams".

Rooney's overhead kick that gave man unaited 2-1 over neighbours Manchester City was not simply confirmation that he remains England's most natural, instinctive talent. In the context of the Premier League title race it may prove priceless.

Ferguson and Rooney were still on a high from the manner of that decisive goal, but it was a piece of individual brilliance that deserved every word of the post-match hyperbole.

David Silva's fortuitous equaliser had given City renewed momentum after Nani put United ahead against the run of play just before half-time. Roberto Mancini's side had the scent of only their second win in 27 Premier League visits to Old Trafford in their nostrils

At least they did until Rooney did something that every United fan who witnessed it will recall forever, every neutral who was party to it will treasure and even City's supporters may secretly admire once the pain it inflicted subsides.

With 12 minutes left, Nani's speculative right-wing cross took a crucial glance off Pablo Zabaleta. The touch wrong-footed the magnificent Vincent Kompany just slightly to provoke a stumble and with Micah Richards already stooping instinctively to complete a clearing header Rooney struck.

Readjusting his position to compensate for a cross that was high and behind him, Rooney performed a triumph of touch, technique and athleticism to flash a right-footed bicycle kick high and wide of motionless and startled City keeper Joe Hart. It is a story that deserves telling again in full because .

craned his neck to view monitors in the press box before a grimace and a shake of the head that demonstrated almost disbelief as well as admiration.

There was a sub-text to Old Trafford's ecstatic celebrations. Rooney's goal won a derby and straightened United's course towards another Premier League title, effectively killing off City's hopes of claiming the crown at the same time.

It proved once again, in this unpredictable season, that United still have the knack of champions that ensures they score and win games at just the right time, even when opponents match them, as City did and more besides here.

And for Rooney, it was the moment he once again felt the unconditional love of Old Trafford after the relationship was

If any wounds or ill-feeling remained from those the healing process was complete in the time it took him to take off and apply his acrobatics to Nani's cross.

He almost made it sound like the final olive branch to United's fans later - ironically in a game where he was policed and shackled almost all the way by Kompany until that single, defining contribution.

Rooney, who claimed he has not scored a goal in such spectacular style since his childhood days at Liverpool's De La Salle School, told BBC Sport: "As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in and it's definitely the best goal I've scored. It was a special feeling. The fans deserve that from me because I've not had the best of seasons.

Rooney announced himself to the world as a 16-year-old with a famous wonder goal for Everton against Arsenal in 2002. On Saturday night he had a goal to sit comfortably alongside it

For those who continue to doubt Rooney's ability, and some of his efforts this season have given them plenty to go at, this was a reaffirmation of his importance to United. If this goal returns all the lost reserves of confidence their title aspirations will be hugely enhanced.

Ferguson relished maintaining United's four-point lead over Arsenal but could not disguise his admiration for Rooney's goal, saying: "It was stunning. Nani's goal was an unbelievable goal, but nobody in their right sense will even talk about it. All the talk will be about that winning goal - unbelievable.

"He hit a volley against Newcastle some years ago and it was that ferocity. We've had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution, you'll never see that."

Rooney's frustration looked on the point of boiling over as his performance deteriorated - until the point when natural instincts kicked in and he scored the goal which had Ferguson lavishing such praise upon him and Old Trafford buzzing with excitement long after the final whistle.

Slipping under the radar because of Rooney's goal was a performance that will also have had Ferguson purring with satisfaction, namely from young defender Chris Smalling as he slotted in superbly alongside Nemanja Vidic, showing composure and solidity in such a testing environment