Wayne's a winner

United's international players experienced mixed fortunes on Tuesday night, from Wayne Rooney's goalscoring performance with England to another slip-up for Nani and Portugal.

Rooney took just 10 minutes to breach the Switzerland defence in Basel, converting a cross from Glen Johnson to claim his first competitive goal at international level for 12 months. England substitute Adam Johnson made it 2-0 in the 69th minute - shortly after the hosts had Stephan Lichtsteiner sent off for a second bookable offence - and although Xherdan Shaqiri pulled a goal back, the Three Lions eventually wrapped up a deserved 3-1 victory when another sub Darren Bent struck two minutes from time.

The result means England have maximum points so far in the European Championship qualifiers, as have the Republic of Ireland. John O'Shea played 90 minutes and Darron Gibson came off the bench for the final half-hour as the Irish beat Andorra 3-1 in Dublin.

Darren Fletcher's Scotland were also victorious on Tuesday night but only just, with the winner from Stephen McManus clocked at seven minutes into injury time. The Celtic defender's strike capped a face-saving turnaround - the unfancied Liechtenstein had taken a shock lead through Mario Frick in the 47th minute and were in front for quarter of an hour until Rangers forward Kenny Miller equalised. Fletcher skippered the Scots from first to final whistle as he earned his 50th cap.

It wasn't Nani's night in Norway, where Portugal surprisingly lost 1-0. Erik Huseklepp's first-half goal heaped misery on the visitors, who were held 4-4 at home by Cyprus at the weekend.

Serbia fared slightly better in a contest that kept the referee busy - Nemanja Vidic was one of ten players booked by Portuguese official Olegário Benquerença. The visitors from Slovenia struck first in terms of goals but Nikola Zigic's late equaliser for the Serbians secured a final score of 1-1.

Manchester United 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Manchester United stayed within two points of Chelsea at the Barclays Premier League summit.


Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney saw Manchester United overcome Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

Berbatov made the breakthrough in the 55th minute and Rooney sewed the match up two minutes from time.

United should have extended the scoreline but substitute Gabriel Obertan missed two great chances on his league debut.

Man Utd's Neville: Rooney influence as great as Keane

Manchester United captain Gary Neville says Wayne Rooney is as big influence on the club as legend Roy Keane.

Rooney is battling to be fit for Sunday's clash at Liverpool and Neville said: "Sir Alex said Wayne could easily be one of the best players in the world.

"Personally, I wouldn't swap him for anybody - he has such a big influence on our team. Sometimes the world's best player accolades go to people who are the most eye-catching and skilful.

"Rooney obviously has great skill but he also has incredible team qualities - his workrate, his defending and his goalscoring abilities all stand out.

"He's simply a fantastic all-round player."

Neville compares Rooney's influence on United to that of former captain Roy Keane.

He added: "Wayne's very important, he's infectious and sets the tone.

"Obviously we have a few people who do that but he has a fantastic desire that transmits itself to the rest of the team. In some ways, you see a little bit of Roy Keane's character in Rooney and the way he plays.

"There are always areas in which players can improve - even players who are over 35 will say they can improve. So certainly Rooney in his early 20s is someone who will get better with experience - and that is great for United fans."

Man Utd's Rooney rates Man City on par with Arsenal

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admits Manchester City's spending power makes them a genuine title challenger.

While many at Old Trafford have wrote-off City, Rooney told the Daily Star Sunday: "Manchester City have started the season really well, they have bought some really good players. I can’t see a reason why they won’t be challenging along with Arsenal.

“The financial resources which City have at their disposal give them a really good chance. They have a chance to be up there in the top five.”

Rooney to put birth of first child ahead of Man Utd

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he will put the impending birth of his first child ahead of the club.

Rooney’s wife Coleen is due in late October, just when the Red Devils are set to tackle Liverpool at Anfield but said he would be prepared to miss that match as well as the Champions League fixture in Moscow four days earlier.

"The baby's due the day we play Liverpool," said Rooney. "If Coleen goes in to have it before then, then I won't go to Moscow because I want to be there at the birth.

"If anything happens around that time then I'm sure I'll stay back. But if everything goes to plan then I'll be playing because that's my job and what I'm paid to do.

"I haven't spoken to the manager about it yet, but I want to be there for the birth of my child."