Ferguson praises tireless Rooney

Striker Wayne Rooney last scored on 30 March

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Wayne Rooney as he ended a five-month goal drought in Saturday's 3-0 win over West Ham.

The England striker scored from the penalty spot, his first goal since 30 March, and Ferguson was delighted to see the 24-year-old return to form.

"Strikers want to score, but it is Wayne's performance that we should be talking about," stressed Ferguson.

"He was full of life and energy. He worked his socks off."

Rooney's 13-match barren spell included dismal performances for England at this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

But having missed last week's 2-2 draw at Fulham with a virus, Rooney played his part in a comfortable Manchester United victory, scoring one goal and setting up another.

Man Utd controlled game well - Phelan

"I thought his overall game was much better, he looked a lot stronger and we look forward to him playing for England now and coming back fitter," added assistant manager Mike Phelan.

Rooney will now join up with the England squad ahead of their opening Euro 2012 qualifying games against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Nani and Berbatov were United's other goalscorers with the pair in fine form along with the evergreen Paul Scholes.

"Dimitar and Paul Scholes orchestrated that victory," added Ferguson, whose side remain in third place, level on points with Arsenal and two behind Chelsea.

"They deserved their standing ovation and Dimitar's goal was excellent.

"You have to win your home games and we are back on track after dropping those two points at Fulham last week.

"It is too early to say what formation the league is taking at present but the usual suspects are up there."

606: DEBATE I thought Rooney was brilliant today. His passing and movement were excellent and he got a goal and an assist manutdjake

Phelan added: "Everyone talks about Dimitar and the frustrations of his game.

"But he has good parts to his game also and today he controlled the pace of the match and brought others into play, and got his reward with a goal, and that is typical Dimitar."

By contrast West Ham are winless and without a point after three games as Avram Grant's side remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table in what has been a difficult start to the new campaign.

"We knew before it began that it would be a tough season," admitted Grant.

"We are trying to change some things but it will take more than three or five games to judge us. We need a lot more than that.

"People can say what they like about this performance but we tried our best."

Grant will now spend the next few days busily trying to bring in some more new faces, although he insists midfielder Scott Parker will remain at Upton Park beyond the 31 August deadline.

"I hope to bring another two or three players in but Scott will stay," said Grant.

"We cannot spend a lot of money and it is not going to be easy, but we will try."

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