By David Hobbs
September 29 2004

Manchester United pulled off a superb 6-2 Champions League victory over Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on Tuesday night as Wayne Rooney struck a hat-trick on his debut. Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo were both rested in midfield as Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson took their place in midfield.

Hat-Trick Hero Rooney Shines as United Triumph

Manchester United pulled off a superb 6-2 Champions League victory over Fenerbahce at Old Trafford on Tuesday night as Wayne Rooney struck a hat-trick on his debut.

Roy Keane and Cristiano Ronaldo were both rested in midfield as Eric Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson took their place in midfield.

Ryan Giggs got the game off to a dynamic start, opening the scoring after 7 minutes with a precise header that evaded Fenerbahce 'keeper Rustu, all thanks to a fantastic Kleberson run and cross from down the left flank.

Ten minutes later Rooney got his first of the night and first of his Manchester United career. Ruud van Nistelrooy's through ball allowed Rooney to loft the ball over hapless Rustu to double United's advantage.

The England international then added his second goal and United's 3rd soon after. Excellent control and a divine drilled finish from Rooney left Fenerbahce blushing.

However, just one minute into the second half the Turks grabbed a goal back. Sloppy defending from a corner allowed Marcio Nobre to hook back a consolation from Alex's ball.

But the Rooney show continued as he sealed a heroic hat-trick from a free-kick that Ruud van Nistelrooy won. Forget David Beckham - Rooney's curling strike beat Rustu yet again.

Just as Sir Alex Ferguson thought it was all over, Fenerbahce made it 4-2 courtesy of a left-footed Sanil Tuncay effort.

United fired back with vengeance, hitting a double goal salvo in 3 minutes.

A spot-on Darren Fletcher cross found Ruud van Nistelrooy who made no mistake in hammering home from close range.

Darren Fletcher added a sixth goal 3 minutes later following a header from Wayne Rooney that found the Frenchman, who nut-megged Rustu.

Full time: Manchester United 6 - 2 Fenerbahce

United: Carroll; G Neville, Ferdinand, Heinze, Silvestre; Giggs, Bellion Kleberson, Djemba; Rooney, van Nistelrooy.

Full Time - Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United

Manchester United:

Tottenham Hotspur: