(Manchester United News)
Manchester United defender Phil Jones has praised Wayne Rooney’s leadership following the Reds’ 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.
Although Ander Herrera bagged a clinical brace, it was Rooney’s stunning strike which was the stand-out moment in the win at Old Trafford. And Jones was keen to stress that the striker’s influence goes much further than just scoring important, high-quality goals.
“Wayne’s a leader and everybody follows him,” the Reds’ no.4 told MUTV. “He leads by example and doesn’t just say things [to the other players in the dressing room] for the sake of it, it really means something.
“He made a comment before the game saying it’s no good beating Liverpool if you can’t beat Aston Villa at Old Trafford and he was bang on,” Jones added. “Thankfully we’ve done that.”
As well as inspiring his team-mates through words, Rooney also reminded them and the fans of his quality as a goalscorer when, in the 79th minute, he brought down Angel Di Maria’s cross with an exquisite touch before turning and launching a stinging drive into the top corner. Needless to say that Jones, just like everyone watching, was very impressed.
“I think the touch was actually better than the strike,” the defender continued. “He plucked it out of the air with his weaker foot, swivelled on the half-volley and smacked it into the top corner. I’m delighted for him, he does that week in, week out.”
