Goals will breed confidence for Rooney

MANCHESTER United manager Louis van Gaal expects Wayne Rooney’s confidence to grow following his match–winning goals against 10–man Sunderland.

Rooney converted a hotly contested 66th-minute penalty and nodded in an opportunistic header in the closing stages at Old Trafford to hand United a 2–0 win that consolidates their position in the top four.

Rooney had gone more than two months without scoring a league goal - though his chances were inhibited by his midfield position.

Van Gaal thinks Saturday’s brace will do wonders for Rooney’s self–belief: “Everyone needs confidence, when you score two goals it lift you,” the United manager said.

Few queried referee Roger East’s decision to point to the spot when Radamel Falcao tumbled to the floor in the area in the second half, but East sent Wes Brown off even though the former United right–back appeared to make little, if any, contact with the striker. Sunderland are appealing against the red card.

Van Gaal refused to condemn the referee after the final whistle: “The players protested but maybe it was more because it was the wrong player. That’s a mistake, but we make mistakes,” he said.