Record-man Rooney gives lift as Manchester United win big

Now, Manchester United only need a point in their final game of the group stages, away to Zorya Luhansk, to stay in the Europa League.

Rooney conjured the breakthrough in a 4-0 victory by deftly dispatching his 39th European strike to overhaul Ruud van Nistelrooy and close to within one of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record haul of 249 goals for United.

When asked who Mourinho should target if he looks to add an extra striking options to his ranks, Scholes was quick to name his candidate as he stated: “I think Griezmann would be up there, I think he looks great”.

Mourinho said: “I am very happy”. But I will help him to go one more.

Having subsequently issued a public apology over the “inappropriate” pictures, Rooney then last weekend labelled the way he has been treated by the media as “disgraceful”.

The 31-year-old accused sections of the media of wanting to “write my obituary” following Saturday’s draw with Arsenal.

“Every trophy is important – that’s what you’re playing for”, the forward said.

“Players need to know when they’ve done right and wrong and he does that”.

He added on BT Sport 2: “It’s a great feeling to score goals and to score goals for this club”. He’s shown that it doesn’t bother him.

Playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan came into the United team to make only his second start for United following his summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund, and produced an impressive display. The second goal was a big punch for us.

“Tonight was a performance and a result”, Mourinho said.

“He needs one more step”.

“Obviously now the confidence level is higher”.

“I think we should appreciate him for the player he is, what he did”.

“But he has the quality and that is why we bought him”. You know what, I have a very big house – there I keep them [the medals]. “I hope this is a new start, let’s see”.

Juan Mata, an own goal from Brad Jones and Jesse Lingard ensured the win which puts United second behind Group A leaders Fenerbahce and two points ahead of third-placed Feyenoord.

They managed four the last time they won on home soil in the league against Leicester back in September and their Portuguese boss believes the tide will turn as soon as his strikers rediscover their scoring touch. It’s an unbelievable achievement obviously [Rooney’s].

“I know it’s not the biggest competition, but let’s push”.

“He is, first of all as a person fantastic”, Ibrahimović said.

“The philosophy of the club is to win trophies”.

“Every competition we are in, we are trying to win”.