THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Wayne Rooney’s brace and Robin van Persie’s injury-time penalty lifted Manchester United above their staunch rival neighbours Manchester City 2-3 in Sunday’s Premier League action.

Touted for his lacklustre start this season, Rooney came out of the shadows to score twice for United during the first half. The striker’s significant contribution brought his league derby goals record to seven, equal to that of iconic forward Eric Cantona.

Yaya Toure proved pivotal for City’s resurgence in the second half, as the powerful midfielder converted after Carlos Tevez and David Silva failed to find the back of the net. Pablo Zabaleta levelled his side through a firing effort from 12 yards.

Come injury time, United sought to leave a footpr1nt in the derby by sending van Persie to take the free kick after Tevez’ unfair challenge on Rafael Da Silva. Keeper Joe Hart failed to clear the Dutch striker’s bottom-corner shot.

THE LATEST UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS – Manchester United have qualified for the Champions League this season, but ended their group stage run with a disappointing home loss to CFR Cluj-Napoca 0-1.

                                                    

United wished to leave a footpr1nt with another home win on Wednesday, but the Red Devils failed to turn around a 25-yard effort from Luis Alberto. The match left a worrying precedent for manager Sir Alex Ferguson in time for Sunday’s Manchester derby against Manchester City.

THE LATEST ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS – Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson lamented his side’s apparently weak defence after their 4-3 win against Reading.

The seven-goal thriller saw all of the goals come in during the first half, with United trailing twice before Robin van Persie’s 34th-minute winner.

Ferguson noted that the match featured United’s “worst defending of the season”, as his side have easily conceded three goals, initially compromising their chances to win w1th ease.