MAN UNITED 4, FEYENOORD 0
Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s record goalscorer in Europe as the Reds recorded their largest victory of the season at home to Feyenoord put them within touching distance of the Europa League’s knockout phase.
Rooney’s 39th goal, United’s opener, helped overpower the leaders of Holland’s Eredivisie at Old Trafford leaving United requiring one point from their last game away to Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk to guarantee qualification from Group A
They could conceivably had already qualified depending on the outcome of Fenerbahce’s game against Feyenoord who slipped from second to third place in the group.
Goals fr Rooney, Juan Mata, Brad Jones who found own net and Jesse Lingard were reward for a solid performance.
Rooney also moved to 248 goals for the Reds and within one of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s record total for the Reds with only his third of the season and first in front of home fans.
Indeed, Rooney broke a goalscoring record as this was his 39th in Europe as he moved clear of Ruud van Nistelrooy, the previous holder.
It was a satisfying performance and result for United manager Jose Mourinho who said: “I am happy and it was similar to other games in the Champions League.
“The difference was that we needed four points from our last two games and knew that one defeat and we were be out.There was pressure and we coped well and it was a solid performance.”
Mourinho was delighted with the impact the players he brought in made, mentioning keeper Sergio Romero who made an important double save when the game was goalless and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The Reds’ manager also reaffirmed his desire to win the Europa League when praising Rooney for becoming the Reds’ record scorer in Europe.
He said: “It is an amazing achievement, and it would be even better if we win the Europa League for the first time.
“It is not the biggest competition, but Manchester United have not won it. Let’s push and try and win it. Hopefully we will qualify and there will be more goals to come from Wayne.”
Mourinho made six changes from the side that drew against Arsenal on Saturday.
There were recalls for Zlatan Ibrahimovic after suspension, Rooney, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Romero and forgotten man Mkhitaryan.
The six players making way were David De Gea, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
The Feyenoord team includes former Liverpool Dirk Kuyt and Brad Jones.
Pogba had two goal attempts in the first four minutes, but headed and then shot over, neither effort troubling the visiting keeper.
Pogba remained United’s most potent attacking threat as he had a 25-yard drive tipped over by keeper Jones.
The resulting corner was cleared to Michael Carrick whose goalbound shot was blocked and cleared to safety.
Feyenoord could have snatched the lead after 26 minutes when Nicolaj Jorgensen met an Eljero Elia cut back but could only shoot straight at Romero. The ball rebounded to Kuyt whose follow-up strike was goalbound until Jones made a heroic save with his right leg to deflect the shot to safety.
United made the breakthrough 10 minutes before the break when Rooney was released by a terrific through pass from Ibrahimovic and Rooney lofted the ball over the advancing Jones from 10 yards for only his third goal of the season.
Mata had a great chance to double the lead five minutes after the break when he spotted Jones off his line and attempted an audacious chip from 22 yards. The keeper, back pedalling, pulled off a brilliant tip over.
Mikhitaryan then weaved his way clear only to fire into the side netting from a tight angle.
Mata made it 2-0 with the Reds ready to substitute him for a 13th time this season. He was immediately replaced by Rashford.
Ibrahimovic released Rooney on the right and he squared the ball for Mata to slide in his fifth goal of the season from six yards.
Ibrahimovic then was denied by the legs of Jones before United added a third goal after 74 minutes.
Rashford cut in from the left and released Ibrahimovic whose cut back away from goal struck the leg of Jones and ricocheted into the net.
This signalled a double change as Rooney and Mkhitaryan were replaced by Memphis Depay and Jesse Lingard.
And the latter stages proved to be the Lingard show as the midfielder certain had an impressive cameo following his entrance after 82 minutes.
Lingard had four clear-cut chances, and found the net with his last one in the second minute of stoppage time.
Set up by Antonio Valencia, Lingard curled in an exquisite shot from outside the box, his third goal of the season.