Manchester United comfortably beat Stoke City 3-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.
Jesse Lingard opened the scoring with a diving header, Anthony Martial curled in a beautiful second, and Rooney added the third with a simple tap in.
United made two changes from their FA Cup side, as Michael Carrick came in for Morgan Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian replaced Guillermo Varela.
Xherdan Shaqiri was dropped in favour of Peter Crouch by Stoke, while new signing Giannelli Imbula was not registered in time to play.
United enjoyed the early possession, but in typical fashion failed to do anything with it. Rooney’s speculative long-ranger was the only time they threatened.
Stoke started to come into the game after 10 minutes when Ibrahim Afellay’s shot was deflected, but David De Gea managed to collect it easily.
United took the lead in the 14th minute through Lingard. It was United’s first goal in the first half of a game in their last 12 attempts.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson played in a dangerous cross from the right which evaded the Stoke defence to give Lingard a free header.
Less than ten minutes later and United were 2-0 ahead.
This time Martial was the scorer. Rooney picked out the youngster with a well-placed pass, and the 20-year-old curled the ball into the far corner from the edge of the area.
The two quick goals rattled Stoke and United spent the rest of the half in total control. Martial almost added his second and Fellani threatened with a couple of headers.
On the stroke of half time Stoke’s day got a lot worse as Phillip Wollscheid was forced off with an injury. Phil Bardsley was his replacement.
The second half start with a controversy as Rooney saw a goal ruled out. The referee blew for a foul in the build up, but replays suggested it was harsh.
Moments later Rooney had his third. Martial drove down the left wing, and his inch perfect cross left Rooney with an easy tap in at the back post.
To their credit, Stoke continued to push but were unable to make any dents in the United defence.
Van Gaal made a couple of defensive substitutions and the game petered out, with United taking a 3-0 win.
The result leaves United in fifth spot, five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham. Stoke are ninth with 33 points.
SEE MORE
Remy wasting career
Transfer window winners and losers
Skrtel growing his hair!
Next up for Louis Van Gaal’s United side is a trip to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon – the first of four consecutive away games for the club.
Stoke will welcome Everton then travel to Bournemouth in their next two outings.