BOLTON: Wayne Rooney’s second consecutive hat-trick saw Manchester United reclaim top spot in the Premier League after losing it to Manchester City for just a few hours.
Rooney, who scored a treble in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal, scored twice before the break to set Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on the way to eclipsing the efforts of closest rivals City, who had beaten Wigan 3-0 earlier in the day.
The England striker scored his third in the second half as his efforts, along with a brace from Javier Hernandez, mean United have scored 18 times in their four opening league games.
Both Manchester clubs have signalled that this year’s duel for the title will be a two-horse race, but it is United who lead the way at this early stage on goal difference.
It was an afternoon where the old guard shone alongside a new generation of stars as Rooney combined brilliantly with Hernandez and summer signing Phil Jones.
Ferguson fielded an arguably stronger line-up than the one that hammered Arsenal at Old Trafford in their last match before the international break.
Mexican Hernandez returned to partner Rooney in place of Danny Welbeck, while Rio Ferdinand replaced Chris Smalling in the centre of defence.
The architect of this latest victory, perhaps even more so than Rooney, was Nani. His hat-trick of assists, and two more from the impressive Jones, was as much a part of this triumph as the fine finishing of Rooney and Hernandez.
The champions began the game at break-neck speed and Ferguson was left cursing referee Andre Marriner for not booking Kevin Davies after his challenge forced the United boss to replace Tom Cleverley with Michael Carrick.
Wayne Rooney found Nani on the right and the Portuguese crossed into the six-yard box where Harnandez arrived and beat Jussi Jaaskelainen at the near post.
United were immediately forced into the change when Cleverley limped off, and they also found themselves on the back foot in their own box.
The ball was cleared by Jonny Evans and fell to Chris Eagles, whose shot was cleared by Rooney when an equaliser looked odds-on.
Davies finally found his way into Marriner’s notebook when his tackle on Patrice Evra earned him a yellow card. Within seven minutes, United were further ahead.
Then in the 25th minute, United made it three. Former Blackburn midfielder Jones was involved again as he raced through home defence unchallenged.
Nine minutes later, the job was complete when Rooney completed his hat-trick with a right-footed strike after more creative magic by Nani. (Agencies)