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| Wayne Rooney scored two goals in a dominating performance against Bayer Leverkusen |
Manchester United is notches higher than Bayer Leverkusen at this time as the scoreline indicated in their latest meeting in the Champion's League. In a game dominated by Manchester United, both teams finished with goals that delighted the crowd at Old Trafford.
The scores began in the 22nd minute when Shinji Kagawa heads the ball to Patrice Evra who then crossed the ball to Wayne Rooney. Rooney then made a bouncing volley which was too high for Bernd Leno to reach and Manchester United was up ahead. Manchester could have upped the lead in the 44th minute when Shinji Kagawa received a lob from Antonio Valencia but Kagawa's attempt missed the goal by few inches.
Manchester United resume its dominating performance in the second half and one can sense that their second goal is forthcoming. But it was Bayer Leverkusen which broke the ice surprisingly. In the 54th minute, Son Heung Min find himself no room to penetrate as he was swarmed by Manchester United backline. He then made an outlet pass to Simon Rolfes. Simon Rolfes curling shot bounced on Michael Carrick and then went inside the goal without much challenge. David De Gea visibly stunned was not able to react as Bayer players celebrated on the pitch.
It did not take long and Manchester United answered Bayer. In the 59th minute, Anderson lob the ball to Antonio Valencia on the right who then cross it to Van Persie who scored with beautiful volley past Bernd Leno.
Bayer Leverkusen could have equalized it on the 70th minute when Lars Bender's nutmeg shot went pass Michael Carrick only to be saved by De Gea. Instead, it was Manchester United who increased the lead when in the ensuing play, De Gea's lob was headed by Emer Spahic but it went straight to Wayne Rooney who broke away and slammed the ball to the hapless Leno on the other side.
Manchester United complete the domination when in the 79th minute a beautiful counter attacked was staged by Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney. Young squared to Rooney in the middle and Rooney lets out a through ball pass which was caught by Antonio Valencia who rifled it on Leverkusen goal. The lead was already insurmountable.
Bayer scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute when Emry Can's corner landed on Stefan Reinartz. Reinartz header hit the woodwork which cause a short scramble before Omer Toprak poked the ball into the Manchester United goal. But at that time, the outcome was already a foregone conclusion.
