Rooney scores hat-trick, MU returns to Champions League group stage

Man United have qualified for the 2015/16 Champions League group stage, after a 4-0 win over Club Brugge in the play-off second leg (7-1 on aggregate). The Red Devils' joy was multiplied when key striker Wayne Rooney ended his goal drought with a hat-trick.

Rooney shines with a hat-trick

Goal:Rooney (20', 49', 57'); Herrera (63')

VIDEO: Club Brugge 0-4 MU

Rooney's Day

If Memphis Depay made a strong impression on Club Brugge in the first leg of the Champions League play-off round, the return leg was Wayne Rooney's chance to shine. The hearts of the Red Devils burst when they saw Rooney run down to receive Depay's through ball and beat the Club Brugge goalkeeper from close range. That goal ended Rooney's 878-minute goalless streak in all competitions.

Rooney has finally released the pressure that has been weighing on him for so long in Belgium. Before scoring against Club Brugge, the striker had been living under a lot of suspicion. Fans and commentators alike thought that Rooney had lost his scoring instinct after being relegated to the central midfield role for so long.

But early this morning, Rooney silenced the entire Jan Breydel Stadium and the criticism directed at him. The Man United No. 10 not only broke the deadlock, but also scored a hat-trick. His three goals were scored within 37 minutes. All came from gentle finishing, but showed great courage and confidence.

Rooney shined, ending a streak of 878 minutes without a goal by scoring a hat-trick in this match.

Wayne Rooney has awakened to become the Red Devils' sharp claw. That is a precious gift for Man United at the time when they are preparing to face a big opponent in the Premier League, and at the same time preparing to compete in the Champions League group stage.

MU's victory over Club Brugge was sealed with a score of 4-0, after Ander Herrera scored. This was a very successful match for the Red Devils, both in terms of score, style of play, and the performance of the key players. This victory was also a display of strength, before Man United entered the match with Swansea this weekend.

Lazio stopped

In contrast to the festive atmosphere of Man United fans, Lazio fans had to leave in tears. The Italian team failed to take advantage of the 1-0 lead in the first leg. The 0-3 loss in the away match against Leverkusen made Lazio lose the match with a total score of 1-3.

The Serie A representative had a good start. But the more they played, the more Lazio seemed to be at a disadvantage against Leverkusen. Before the end of the first half, the Italian team's net shook for the first time. Not long after the break, Lazio seemed to fall into a deep hole, when Admir Mehmedi of the home side had a beautiful long-range shot. The Serie A representative almost collapsed with the red card of defender Mauricio.

What Lazio showed was just a disjointed and mediocre performance. They were completely inferior to Leverkusen in both professional ability and experience, and had to accept giving up their ticket to the Champions League group stage to their opponents.

In other matches, CSKA Moscow beat Sporting Lisbon 3-1, Partizan beat BATE Borisov 2-1 and APOEL drew 1-1 with Astana. With this result, CSKA Moscow, BATE Borisov, Astana and Leverkusen, along with Man United, won the remaining 5 tickets to participate in the group stage of the Champions League 2015/16.

VIDEO: Chicharito and his poor performance against Club Brugge

According to Bongdaplus