Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0: Wayne Rooney hails ‘important’ victory over Spurs

Roo beauty: Captain Rooney delighted with opening win
Getty
Charlie Doris8 August 2015

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has praised his team for putting last season’s poor start behind them to secure a 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford this afternoon.

A Kyle Walker own goal in the first half was enough to give United the win, although Louis van Gaal’s side were pushed to the brink in the latter stages under a barrage of Spurs pressure.

Sergio Romero deputised in place of the absent David de Gea and pulled off a string of fantastic saves to keep United in the ascendancy as Mauricio Pochettino’s side came more into proceedings as the game wore on.

Although United were the better side for much of the first half, Tottenham will consider themselves hard done by not to have earned at least a draw after testing United’s on a number of occasions in a brave late effort.

However, Rooney knows more than most that results overshadow performances at the start of the campaign after United were hindered greatly by their poor displays in the early stages of last season.

Van Gaal’s side seem to be reaping the benefits of a more settled pre-season period this time around and, to Rooney’s delight, have got off the best possible start.

Rooney told BT Sport: “The most important thing today was the victory. After we got a bad start to last season, we had to get the three points today.”

“We have worked hard in pre-season and then we will star preparing for Aston Villa next week.”

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