Hat Trick Heroes: Wayne Rooney (Pt II)

The second time the Manchester United attacker has featured in this category, Wayne Rooney proved yet again the saviour for the Red Devils this season as he chimed in with all four goals in the victory over Hull City. The first four-goal tally of his professional career, Rooney notched his 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th goals of the current campaign. Having already matched his goal total from last year, with more than a third of this season to run, Rooney is on course to break his all-time record of 23 goals set back in 2006-07.

1^st goal (8): Rooney kicks-off proceedings in the 8th minute by reacting first to a parried Paul Scholes 25-yard cracker and lashing the ball past a shell-shocked Boaz Myhill in the Hull City goal. Rating: 6

2^nd goal (82): Manchester United had to wait another 75 minutes before securing the crucial three-points as a quick interchange of passing between Nani and Carrick fed an open Rooney inside the 18-yard box who thunders a drive past Myhill. Rating: 7

3^rd goal (86): With the Hull City defence in tatters, Rooney completes his hat-trick four minutes from the end of time when Nani sends in a tantalising right-wing cross for the on-rushing England striker to nod in from five-yards out. Rating: 6

4^th goal (90+3): Rooney saves his best for last. Controlling a chipped pass from Berbatov on the left, Rooney accelerates into the box and shrugs off one marker before snapping a right-foot shot low into the net. Rating: 8

Note: Rooney’s lowest goal rating out of his four strikes, 6 for his 1^st goal, was eliminated from the hat trick aggregate calculation.

Hat trick aggregate: 7