Rooney scores brace as Man United beat AS Roma 3-2

Wayne Rooney scored twice and Juan Mata added another goal to lift Manchester United to a 3-2 friendly victory over AS Roma on Saturday

Denver: Wayne Rooney scored twice and Juan Mata added another goal to lift Manchester United to a 3-2 friendly victory over AS Roma on Saturday.


Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata celebrate a goal on Saturday. Pic/Getty Images 

The triumph continued the winning start to new manager Louis van Gaal's tenure, which opened with a 7-0 trouncing of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the opening match of United's North American pre-season tour on Wednesday.

The going was tougher against the Serie A side, but while Roma was in control early in the first half it was Rooney who opened the scoring in the 36th minute, taking a pass from Mata 25 yards out, turning and firing into the top corner of the net.

Two minutes later, Rooney set up Mata for a fine second goal, and Rooney made it 3-0 with a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Roma newcomer Urby Emanuelson had upended Danny Welbeck.

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