Paris: Wayne Rooney claimed a piece of club history as he set Manchester United on the way to a 4-0 Europa League win over Feyenoord that saw them close on a last 32 berth.
Rooney got the opening goal Thursday night against the Dutch side at Old Trafford to score for the 39th time in Europe, matching Ruud van Nistelrooy’s club record. He is now only one goal away from equalling Bobby Charlton’s all-time club scoring record of 249 goals after setting the Red Devils on the way to a welcome victory.
Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard also netted either side of an own goal by Brad Jones and Man United now need only a draw against Zorya Luhansk in their final Group A match to qualify.
“It was a good win. We are pleased to get four goals,” Rooney after the match. “The second goal killed the game. At 1-0 you never know what can happen. It’s a great feeling to score goals for this club. I am pleased and there is plenty more to come.”
Meanwhile, Southampton’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds remain in the balance after Claude Puel’s side lost 0-1 away to Sparta Prague in the Czech Republic. A solitary first half goal by Zimbabwean full-back Costa Nhamoinesu, firing a Borek Dockal free-kick past Fraser Forster, was the difference between the sides at the Generali Arena.
The win helped Sparta qualify for the knockouts while Southampton will have to win their last Group K game against Hapoel Beer-Sheva.
In Tel Aviv, Hapoel came from two goals down to record a remarkable 3-2 win over Inter Milan, whose troubles continued as they were eliminated.
Goals from Mauro Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic had the Italian giants in control after just 25 minutes. However, Brazilian striker Lucio Maranhao reduced the deficit on 58 minutes and Nigerian Anthony Nwakaeme equalised from the penalty spot after Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic had been sent off. Ex-Chelsea striker Ben Sahar then came off the bench to score an injury time winner at the Turner Stadium.
Agence France-Presse
