Champions League Review: Utd cruise past Brugge

A day before the UEFA Champions League draw, Manchester United seal their place in the 2nd leg of their qualifier against Club Brugge.

Manchester United supporters had waited and waited for Wayne Rooney to break through this season. Some said their captain was missing, that he didn’t have the legs for the performances and simply wasn’t putting in the expected shift. On Wednesday evening in a 4-0 smashing of Club Brugge, Rooney did get on the score sheet – three times – as United sealed their fate and will now await their group in the Champions League draw tomorrow.

Going into the 2nd leg against the Belgian side, the Red Devils led comfortably on aggregate, 3-1, thanks in large part to Memphis Depay’s two goals. In both that game and others in the Premier League, Rooney had multiple opinions to get on the board but simply was not finishing.

However, just 20 minutes into the away leg for United, Rooney clipped the ball over the Brugge keeper and found his first goal of the season after a brilliant pass from Depay. The goal was Rooney’s first since Villa in April of last season and put the Louis Van Gaal’s club up 4-1 on aggregate and all but sealed their way through, though they were hardly finished despite leading 1-0 at halftime.

Right as the second half began, so did United’s attack. In the 49th minute, Memphis was again at the center of play as he found Herrera who laid the ball off to Rooney for an easy tap-in and his second of the game and season.

Eight minutes later, Rooney completed his hat-trick after Mata sent him through and the Englishman slotted home for his last goal of the evening. Still United were not done though, and six minutes later the Red Devils found one more through Ander Herrera, who took Schweinsteiger’s pass well and finished calmly past Bolat.

Even up four goals, United had a chance for a fifth when they were awarded a penalty, though Chicharito sent his low effort wide to the left.

Though the Mexican national team standout failed to add the fifth, the final whistle blew and Manchester United were through to the group stages on 7-1 aggregate.

United supporters were relieved to see Ander Herrera get a start as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneidlin were rested, though Schweini would see time and played the entire second half after replacing Adnan Januzaj.

The Red Devils face a trip to the Liberty Stadium to take on Swansea City this Sunday.

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