Manchester United Fans Club

Wayne Rooney was disappointed to miss out on a hat-trick as Manchester United thrashed Aston Villa 4-1 at Villa Park. ‘We had a disappointing start but after that we started playing well, passing it well and played some great football before half time,’ Rooney said.

‘In the second half they had two men sent off which made it a bit easier. ‘I’m pleased to be back scoring but obviously disappointed to miss the penalty but happy with the two.’ Rooney’s England colleague Rio Ferdinand was keen to claim United’s third goal, which was helped into his own net by Craig Gardner.

‘Of course, when you hit it as cleanly as I did you deserve to be credited with the goal!’ Ferdinand joked. ‘The manager said before the game it’s a very tough place to come, Martin O’Neill has got his side firing on all cylinders and very difficult to beat.

‘We’re happy to come out with three points and quite a good performance, especially from the front men.’ Asked about Rooney’s display, Ferdinand added: ‘He played very well, his movement with Carlos was very good and the signs are good for the future.’

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with his side’s victory and attacking flair. ‘The performance was absolutely superb, probably our best of the season,’ Fergusons aid. ‘The first half in particular was absolutely excellent.

‘It’s been disappointing we haven’t scored more goals and that was a big surprise considering the players we’ve had available, although Tevez and Anderson did miss pre-season. ‘I don’t think the sendings off affected the result but it did give us an easier task in the second half.’

United travel to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday and Ferguson added: ‘It’s a big game obviously, European football is a special occasion and we’re going in there in good form, but it’s not an easy place to go to.’

Villa manager Martin O’Neill felt Reo-Coker’s dismissal was ‘really harsh.’ He added: ‘He’s made two fouls in the game and he’s not helped by how the players have rolled over afterwards.

‘I think the referee will realise it’s very harsh. He’d been doing well up till then but I don’t know where he’s got it from.’ On the rest of the game, O’Neill added: ‘We started brilliantly and got a goal in front, we should have had two.

‘I don’t think 3-1 reflected the game at half-time. We conceded some poor goals but were always in the game. ‘But Manchester United are a very fine side and just a couple of minutes before half-time did for us. ‘I’m obviously disappointed because we were very bright to begin with but we’ll pick ourselves up.’