The England and United captain scored twice and created a third for Robin van Persie as he excelled in a midfield position during the 3-1 victory, and his manager was delighted with the 29-year-old’s efforts.
All-time Premier League top scorers
Alan Shearer 260
Andy Cole 187
Wayne Rooney 181
Thierry Henry 175
Frank Lampard 175
"He scores two goals and gets an assist," said Van Gaal. "What more can you demand as a manager?"
The Dutchman added: "In our last match against Aston Villa Rooney was a little bit too defensive so I asked for him to be more attacking.
"He has the lung capacity to run 90 minutes as a midfielder."
Although a striker, Rooney has been used in central midfield for the last three matches, but that has not stopped him from hitting ten goals in his last ten league matches at Old Trafford.
His recent run has seen him move to within six goals of second placed Andy Cole in the Premier League’s all-time top scorers list, and he will be looking to edge closer against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday - a team he has nine goals in 13 appearances against.
