&

[ENGLAND] Wayne Rooney came off the bench to score the winning goal and give Manchester United a 2-1 win over Aston Villa Sunday in the English League Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson hoped to rest Rooney, but he brought Rooney on after Michael Owen, who scored the tying goal for United went off with a hamstring injury.

Rooney beat Brad Friedel, preferred to American teammate Brad Guzan in the Villa goal, to a cross from Antonio Valencia in the 74th minute.

"There are a lot of big games coming up now and that's why we didn't play him today, but he's had 45, 50 minutes," Ferguson said. "Michael Owen had a great first half, but unfortunately he got a hamstring injury and had to come off with that. Wayne comes on and scores the winning goal. With the form he's in you expect that."