Wayne Rooney goes from villain to hero in Manchester United's revival

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Rooney has long had an ability to appear on front and back pages, sometimes simultaneously. This only merits a mention in the sports sections. Rooney scored one goal and made another. He broke one record and closed in on another. He took centre stage in time-honoured fashion, rather than being granted a cameo after losing his place in the strongest side. Rooney’s game-time tends to come under the lights now, but the great wedding crasher proved he can make an impact earlier in an evening.

Rooney’s 39th European goal took him ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was United’s most prolific marksman in continental competition. His 248th United goal means he is only one adrift of Sir Bobby Charlton’s historic tally. Rooney has used the Europa League to nudge nearer the landmark.

There is something compelling about the complicated, long-range one-two. His goal was a case in point, Zlatan Ibrahimovic interrupting Rooney’s contributions by dribbling past a couple of defenders. The 31-year-old finished with the delicacy he used to display more often before his touch deserted him – a deft chip.

His last two finishes have been fantastic; his 247th was a thunderbolt against Fenerbahce. Both have been reminders that, in his prime, Rooney scored many a glorious goal. And yet his capacity to cause controversy persists: there were twin reasons why his goal may have been disallowed, with Feyenoord feeling he fouled Renata Tapia and had strayed offside.

They had fewer complaints about United’s second, Rooney showing peripheral vision to deliver a sharp cutback into Juan Mata’s pass to supply the Spaniard with an open goal.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones endured a traumatic return to Old Trafford, scoring an own goal by deflecting Ibrahimovic’s cross in, while the replacement Jesse Lingard added an injury-time fourth.

It amounted to United’s biggest win under Jose Mourinho, a day when they cast their drawing habit in home league games aside to display more potency, play towards their potential and sweep the Dutch league leaders aside.

Rooney’s mere presence can lead to overreactions, and this was not a return to his 2009-10 prime, but he was better, busier and looking a little sharper. Too much can be read into a win against a Feyenoord side with an injury-hit defence, yet Rooney’s achievement in overhauling Charlton, when he does, should still be celebrated.

The statistics are not confined to him, however. 75 days after his lone start for United, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was recalled. The Bundesliga’s reigning player of the year was granted an outing in the Europa League, which only added to the great Mkhitaryan mystery. Mourinho may feel he lacks the intensity for the Premier League, but he has the creativity to excel.

There were understandable hints of rustiness, such as a miscued volley that nonetheless hinted at his technique, and the times he drifted offside, but they still showed the excellence of his movement. There was the occasion when, to Mourinho’s evident irritation, he pulled out of a challenge. But there were lovely touches, classy combination play and, best of all, a blend of speed and skill on a stunning solo run, an illustration of the incision that brought 23 goals and 32 assists for Borussia Dortmund last season. He was upended abruptly by Jens Toornstra, an offence that ought to have been punished.

A public who have been confused by his absence savoured the sight of him. He and Rooney were both granted loud ovations when substituted. But Mkhitaryan’s was louder. For the Old Trafford faithful, this was a tantalising glimpse of a future they expected to start three months ago.