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Afternoon Ticker: Rooney carries United to victory, Van Nistelrooy joins Hamburg and more

Wayne Rooney 1 (Getty Images)

By FRANCO PANIZO

On a day where the FA Cup stole the spotlight, Wayne Rooney carried Manchester United to a league victory, scoring four goals as the Red Devils defeated Hull City 4-0.

It only took Rooney eight minutes to open the scoring, pouncing on a Paul Scholes rebound. The English international wouldn't add another until late in the second half, but he followed up his 82nd minute goal with two more in the final four minutes of the match.

Rooney's quartet of goals brings him to 19 on the season, and raised Manchester United to first place of the Premiership, two points ahead of Arsenal, who has a game in hand.

Here are more stories from Saturday:

Van Nistelrooy sold to Hamburg

Wantaway striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy finally landed a move away from Real Madrid, and the transfer will see him playing in the German Bundesliga for the first time in his career.

Van Nistelrooy was sold to Hamburg SV, ending a three-and-a-half year stay with Madrid. Although details of the transfer were not released, Hamburg revealed that the former Dutch international has a contract with the club through the 2010-2011 season. Van Nistelrooy is expected to arrive on Monday.

Everton land Senderos on loan

Landon Donovan won't be the only player to join Everton on loan this winter.

Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos is set to join the Toffess within the next two days after the clubs agreed to terms on a loan that will see Senderos with Everton until the end of the season. The Swiss international will join Everton just days after the club sold defender Lucas Neill to Galatasaray.

Zaragoza releases Roberto Ayala

Former Argentina national team captain Roberto Ayala was released from Real Zaragoza after the two parties agreed to terminate his contract. The 36-year-old Ayala, who helped Zaragoza gain promotion to La Liga last season, has not revealed any possible destinations for his next club.

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What did you think of Rooney's performance against Hull City? Think Van Nistelrooy will do well in the Bundesliga? Do you see Senderos helping Everton to a strong finish this season? Would you like to see Ayala finish out his career in Argentina?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. As much as it pains me to say it, Rooney really is one of the elite talents in football. I think he’s the best player in the EPL, and a top 5 player globally.

    Reply
  2. Ayala is a classic top class defender, and his stint in top flight football has been impressive. I’m sad he’s gone. Rooney, seems to be hitting stride and nearing world class form. He was briefly eclipsed by C. Ronaldo, but has shown that he’s a tip top talent this year.

    Reply
  3. Do not get me wrong…I recognize Van Nistelrooy’s past achievements and future potential. Van der Vaart for his part has talked about a possible return to Hamburg. That possibility though caused a lot of debate and threatened to divide the fan community because of van der Vaart’s antics prior to his signing with Real. Team management also feels comfortable with its current selection of offensive midfield players. Still, van der Vaart would have been a nice addition.

    Wolfgang
    Long-suffering HSV fan

    Reply
  4. Why would Van der Vaart want to go back to Hamburg?

    Van Nistelrooy will do great in die Bundesliga – I know he’s older but Hamburg is thriving with another older Brazilian fellow written off by Bayern named ze Roberto.

    Reply
  5. Can Hamburg afford Van der Vaart? Don’t be so down on Van Nistelrooy, the old guy will still bang the goals in.

    I understand you wanting Van der Vaart back. He is pure class and I cant believe Van der Vaart wants to stay at Real. Man Utd could use some attacking flare to support that horrible striker named Wayne Rooney……

    Reply
  6. The news regarding Van Nistelrooy bothers me. He is an older player on the downhill side of his career. If Hamburg wants to raid Real’s bench, they should have gone after their prodigal son, van der Vaart, who knows the team and city. Van der Vaart is also younger and will help the team in the long run.

    Wolfgang
    Long-suffering HSV fan

    Reply
  7. “Hoping to get in the team next week not on compassionate leave anymore. Thanks people for the nice messages. Unlucky tonight in the match.” – Jozy Altidore via Twitter

    Reply
  8. I think a spotted leopard gecko would be more effective on the back line for Everton than the players there now.

    So yes, ignoring my ridiculous comparison, I think that Senderos should be helpful to Everton’s defense.

    Reply

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