Despite opening his account for United in style, Depay left Old Trafford with a tinge of disappointment at not completing his hat-trick. Rooney himself has now answered his critics.
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Yesterday, one ESPN FC pundit said Rooney is looking as bad as he ever has at any point in his career.
Rooney’s goalless streak now stretches to nine games for United, and while Memphis was busy peppering the Brugge goal with shots, the England man is still yet to muster a single effort on target this season.
Robben feels he’s got it in his locker to make the difference for United over an extended period of time.
Shaw also hailed the importance of Memphis’s late assist for Marouane Fellaini, which ensured that United take a two-goal cushion into the crucial second leg.
“My mind’s clear. I know how to play the role”, he said.
“Rooney tries hard – you can never fault him for his work-rate – but he’s continually searching during the game“.
Manchester United had to come from behind to seal it. Michael Carrick’s own goal in the first half gave visitors Club Brugge the lead.
‘I think our relationship is starting to build up. It’s not a game I’ll want to look back on [fondly] but obviously you have games like that, it’s football.
“You’ll have nights like that and you have to move on. It’s his team now, his players, and if the new signings settle quickly, I think it’s possible”.
“It’s early on in the season. It would be nice to get off the mark but I’ve experienced this before and the goals will come”, he added.
Robben, who plays alongside Depay with Holland, believes the former PSV Eindhioven winger can realise his potential, which has drawn comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo, under Louis van Gaal.
Southampton signed the 23-year-old from Red Bull Salzburg last summer for £10million (Dh57m).
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United have kept clean sheets in both their Premier League encounters against Tottenham and Aston Villa this season and have conceded just one goal so far, in their 3-1 win against Brugge in their Champions League qualifying playoff.
