Rooney double gives United gloss tour finish

Manchester United's forward Wayne Rooney(L) shoots for the team's first goal during their friendly match against Urawa Reds in Saitama stadium. Rooney scored twice to give Manchester United a 2-0 win.

A magical double from England star Wayne Rooney handed Manchester United a 2-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the final game of their Asian tour.

Rooney held off the attentions of two Urawa defenders to open the scoring with his right boot five minutes into the second half, and then delivered a spectacular strike in trademark style in the 63rd minute.

Receiving the ball from Darren Fletcher, Rooney danced past three defenders before lobbing 'keeper Ryota Tsuzuki from 10 yards, raising the roof at the sold-out Saitama Stadium packed with 58,000 fans.

"I feel brilliant," said Rooney after his first goals of the tour.

"I've got a solid pre-season behind me, that's something I haven't had for two years now.

"Before tonight I hadn't scored in pre-season. As a striker you want to keep scoring, so it was good to get two before we go back to England. That can only help me going into the season.

Manchester United's forward Cristiano Ronaldo(L) and Urawa Reds' defender and captain Nobuhisa Yamada go for the ball during the second half of a friendly match at the Saitama stadium. Manchester United won 2-0.

The 19-year-old striker, who grabbed 17 goals last season, looked the sharpest player on the pitch as United tried to put behind them the ongoing contract row with Rio Ferdinand and the controversial absence of skipper Roy Keane.

The Irishman played 60 minutes for United's reserves back in England against humble Walsall on Saturday.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was glowing in praise for Rooney, especially the second goal.

"I saw him sizing it up but it still requires skill and imagination. Wayne has both," Ferguson told www.manutd.com.

"It was a fantastic goal, measured to absolute perfection. It was the highlight of the match."

Rooney added United are well prepared for the Champions League third round qualifier on August 9 and for the new Premiership season, which kicks off against Everton in two weeks' time.

"It's been a tough tour for because the opposition haven't made it easy for us," said the England striker.

"It's been a good pre-season for us and a good test.

Manchester United's forward Giuseppe Rossi(R) and Urawa Reds' midfielder Tomoyuki Sakai vie for the ball during their friendly match in Saitama stadium. Manchester United won 2-0.

"The main thing is that we are prepared for the start of the season. The manager has changed the team around a bit on the tour so everyone's fitness is building up. We're ready now."

After a drab opening half, United came alight in the second half with Rooney and substitute Cristiano Ronaldo a constant menace as the Premier League giants hit back following the midweek defeat to J-League leaders Kashima Antlers.

South Korean signing Park Ji-Sung was left out after suffering a facial cut in Thursday's 2-1 loss.

Rio Ferdinand, the subject of controversy over his contract wrangle, was also on the bench.

The victory meant United finished the tour on a high note after also beating Hong Kong 2-0 and Beijing Hyundai 3-0.