Wayne Rooney scored his first Champions League hattrick with Manchester United in over a decade as the Red Devils booked their place in the group stages with a thumping 4-0 win over Club Brugge in their second leg of the Qualifiers.
Arriving at Belgium with a comfortable 2 goal lead, Manchester United had to keep it organised and grind out a result. However, injuries and suspensions meant that the home side had to field a weakened eleven.
Chasing the game from the start, Brugge were caught unaware by Memphis Depay, the star of the first leg. Depay threaded a lovely ball to Wayne Rooney, who put Manchester United in the lead with a perfect close range chip.
Rooney’s goal vs. Club Brugge (0-1) [1-4 agg] -360 pic.twitter.com/dW3DOxyrIc
— Sportive23 (@Sportive23_) August 26, 2015
The Manchester United captain found his goalscoring form in an important game and scored his second early in the second half after a lovely cross from Herrera.
Rooney’s second goal vs. Club Brugge (0-2) [1-5] -360 pic.twitter.com/2zF1TV0SNa
— Sportive23 (@Sportive23_) August 26, 2015
Wayne Rooney bagged a Champions league hattrick on the hour mark after a clever ball from Juan Mata.
Rooney completes a hattrick vs. Club Brugge (0-3) [1-6] -360 pic.twitter.com/P9Mgodl292 — Sportive23 (@Sportive23_) August 26, 2015
Manchester United turned their comfortable lead into a thumping when Herrera was sent through on goal by Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Spaniard celebrated his first start of the season with a well taken goal.
GIF: Herrera’s goal for United. He looks so happy! What a ball from Schweinsteiger too http://t.co/etzUnUmt3I #manutd #mufc
— RedCafe.net (@red_cafe) August 26, 2015
Manchester United could have added to their tally from close range when the away side were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute. Mexican striker, Javier Hernandez failed to convert from the spot.
Manchester United won the game 7-1 on aggregate and will now prepare for their crucial Premier League clash against Swansea this weekend, before hosting Liverpool at Old Trafford after the international break.