Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Wayne Rooney and Manchester United are ready to take a stranglehold on the Premier League after emerging from a difficult visit to Blackburn with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.
Wes Brown opened the scoring with a controversial opening header, after Rovers keeper Jason Brown appeared to have been fouled by Nemanja Vidic, before Rooney settled the contest with his third goal in as many games after half-time.
But the scoreline did not reflect United's domination over a team that has offered them stubborn resistance in recent seasons and, despite the disputed opening goal, Ferguson has no doubt that Rooney and his team are hitting their stride after four consecutive wins.
Rooney's form is also good news for England, who face World Cup qualifying matches with Kazakhstan and Belarus over the coming ten days and the forward's club manager believes Rooney is in prime form.
"He's a very mobile player who sees space well," said Ferguson. "He's very active and has got a lot of energy. He uses his energy the right way now and that was his best performance of the season.
"He was full of running and always looking to get in behind their defence. He got his rewards for that." After recovering from an early-season ankle problem, and ending an eight-game run without scoring for United, Rooney is relishing his football, for club and country.
"Once you get your first goal of the season, your confidence is sky-high," said Rooney. "Fortunately enough, I've been in there and taken my chances.
"My ankle has been a bit weak the last couple of weeks, I've just had to make sure and be careful. "Of course I'm looking forward to England, especially after the last couple of games when we've given good performances. I'm looking forward to meeting up and hopefully getting six points."
United's win was at least partially overshadowed, however, by referee Steve Bennett's decision to allow the opening goal to stand - the official finding himself embroiled in controversy for the second week running after gifting Wigan a penalty against Manchester City a week earlier.
"The first goal was disappointing," said Blackburn manager Paul Ince.
"I think the referee or the linesman got it completely wrong. They talk about meetings with (referees' general manager) Keith Hackett and that referees are a lot fitter and can get into positions to make the right decisions.
"But if he can't get into a position to see Vidic put an elbow into my keeper's throat then he shouldn't be refereeing. It was a diabolical decision.
"It happens a lot when you play the big clubs, it's happened over the years. The clubs down there don't seem to get the decisions, the clubs up there do. I'm not saying we would have won the game but we were still in it at 0-0. Would he have given it against Chelsea or Manchester United? I don't know."
But Ferguson saw nothing wrong with the decision. He said: "The goalkeeper had every chance, the ball was in the air long enough for the goalkeeper to come and collect it. That's not our problem."
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