Manchester United 6 - 2 Fenerbache

Tuesday 28 December
old Trafford

It was the turn of a new youngster to take all of the limelight as Wayne Rooney made an incredible debut for Manchester United. Despite having never played before for the Reds, never having played in the Champions League, and not having played for over 4 months, Wayne Rooney was in stunning form as he crashed home a HATRCK of goals to secure a home victory.

Fergie was sure yesterday that he had the two brightest prospects in World Football in Ronaldo and Roonaldo, and todays performance proved that Rooney is certainly up to scratch. Ronaldo was left on the bench, getting a rest after his stressful summer, and was ready to be called upon if needed.

It became clear as soon as the tenth minute that he would not be. Kleberson fired the ball across the box for Ryan Giggs to grab a rare headed goal, glancing the ball into the far side of the net.

Before the Turkish champions had a chance to recover, Rooney had pounced. Having already gone close in the opening minute, Rooney was waiting for his big chance. Van Nistelrooy slid the ball through an admittedly poor defence for Rooney to finish left-footed from 25 yards, over the hapless Recber's head.

Eleven minutes later he struck gold again. this time he swerved as if to hit the ball, let it roll past his body, and the onrushing defender, and then belted it home from 30 yards.

A half-time lead of 3 - 0 should have meant a comfortable second half for United, but they blew their chances of walking the game out in the first minute of the second half, allowing Fener to catch them on a badly-cleared corner.

Rooney immediatley scored at the other end to make it 4 - 1, securing his hatrick with a right-footed free-kick.

Another Fener goal from a set-piece brought the game back to 4 - 2, before van Nistelrooy secured all three points with a fine finish from 6 yards after wonderful control, and Bellion added the icing to the cake with a run on goal.

Bring on the Premiership, and lets just see what happens when Rooney is given Ronaldo's superb service.

Man Utd: Carroll, Gary Neville, Heinze (Phil Neville 81), Ferdinand, Silvestre, Bellion, Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Giggs (Fletcher 62), van Nistelrooy (Miller 81), Rooney.

Subs Not Used: Ricardo, Ronaldo, Smith, O'Shea.
Booked: Heinze.
Goals: Giggs 7, Rooney 17, 28, 54, van Nistelrooy 78, Bellion 81.

Fenerbahce: Rustu, Baris, Luciano, Ozat, Akyel (Akin 61), Balci, Aurelio, Marcio Nobre, Sanli, Alex, Van Hooijdonk.

Subs Not Used: Demirel, Rodriguez, Yozgatli, Hacioglu, Turaci, Sahin.
Booked: Aurelio, Balci.
Goals: Marcio Nobre 47, Sanli 60.

Att: 67,128
Ref: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium).