By Chris Wright
Wayne Rooney was shown his first red card for five years in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over West Ham at Old Trafford this afternoon for lashing out petulantly at Stewart Downing.
While it was hardly the most grievous challenge you’re ever likely to see, a riled-up Rooney aimed a cynical swipe at Downing’s legs and caught him a little too high for referee Lee Mason’s liking – with a straight red card duly being administered to the new England captain…
Not much in that for our money – certainly not enough to earn the inevitable bawling “HOT HEAD” headlines he’s going to get on tomorrow’s back pages – but a nailed-on dismissal never-the-less.