Manchester United 1 Real Sociedad 0: match report They now travel to the Basque Country on Nov 5, hoping for fewer fireworks than were contained in Ferguson's book Those who felt the sharp point of Ferguson's pen in his latest memoirs have responded in assorted ways. Roy Keane bit back immediately from the pundit's chair, stating that Ferguson would not understand the concept of loyalty. Mark Bosnich said he wanted to voice his anger to Ferguson's face. Rooney did it with the ball, with an electric start in front of the watching author. Ferguson had concluded his chapter on Rooney with the hope that he would see some great performances from the striker in the future. It didn't take long. United's No 10 stormed into this game, hitting the post after two minutes and constantly bemusing Sociedad's defence. "Wayne was not playing well enough,"" was Ferguson's response on Tuesday to why he omitted Rooney last season. In the form he's in now, do you think I would drop him now? No chance. Ferguson also added that he had not considered signing Mesut Ozil in 2010, a move that Rooney had pleaded for, because he wanted to pair Javier Hernandez with Rooney. Moyes did here. Rooney played off the Mexican, setting the tone for United's strong first-half display with his touch, vision and hunger for the ball. After Patrice Evra had forced Sociedad to relinquish possession, Rooney cut in from the left, twisting past Carlos Martinez and Mikel Gonzalez, before curling the ball past Claudio Brave but against the post. The ball rebounded and was turned in accidentally by Inigo Martinez. Sociedad looked vainfully towards the Dutch officials for a possible offside call on Hernandez but none was forthcoming. United's celebrations were led by Hernandez and Rooney. Up in one corner of Old Trafford, the area given to away fans in the Premier League, the singing section was increasing the decibel levels. Whatever the need for a special singing area says about modern football, this trial was clearly a success. Moyes had backed the plan, saying that he wanted Old Trafford to develop an "incredibly atmosphere" and this singing area clearly helped. They even challenged other parts of the ground to raise the choral stakes. The noise was also sparked by the intensity of those in red shirts. Michael Carrick was a force in deep midfield, hounding Antoine Griezmann into surrendering possession early on, redistributing the ball calmly. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were alert to the Basques" attacking threat. Twice Jones cleared well from Alberto De La Bella crosses. Antonio Valencia attacked with occasional menace down the right, linking with the overlapping Rafael. Valencia played one ball to Rafael, whose cross was met first-time by Rooney. Bravo dropped to his left to push the ball away. Rafael was having to be careful, sliding in too exuberantly, soon collecting a caution, flirting with expulsion and eventually encouraging Moyes to withdraw him just before the hour. United were in control. For now. Rooney hooked a Valencia cross over. Rooney nutmegged David Zurutuza. Ryan Giggs went on one of their long runs down memory lane, looking as if he was 19, not 39, as he dribbled upfield. But there were already signs of Sociedad's potential. David De Gea pushed over a strike from Haris Seferovic. Griezmann's free kick struck the bar. The Basques continued to gain in confidence, particularly when attacking the end housing their fans in the second period. Giggs was momentarily sloppy in possession, allowing Sociedad to push on. Evans almost sliced a cross past De Gea. De La Bella drilled a ball in from the left that clipped the post. Moyes was now in his technical area, staring at his team. Chris Smalling had replaced Rafael. United picked up their earlier pace again. Shinji Kagawa crossed from the left and Bravo saved from Jones. Sociedad's excellent keeper then saved a shot from Rooney. United were getting closer. Valencia, exploiting De La Bella's tendency to push up, got behind the Sociedad left back and fired against the post. Midway through the second half, Valencia again found space, but this time cut the ball back to Kagawa, who surprisingly decided to take a touch, allowing Carlos Martinez to make a block. Kagawa should have shot first time, and he looked a picture of frustration as a golden chance came and went, yet the Japanese international was increasingly involved in United's attacking moves. United were sitting deep at times, inviting Sociedad on. A mistake by Giggs brought a free kick chance for the visitors which Ruben Pardo failed to take. Rooney tried to settle the nerves with a lofted shot that Bravo claimed rather theatrically in the air. Ashley Young had replaced Hernandez and immediately shot wide. Rooney took over at centreforward, briefly dropping left with five minutes remaining, holding the ball up as Young, Kagawa and Giggs tried to get into good positions. Rooney then broke down the inside-right channel, cutting the ball across towards Young and Bravo was able to intervene. The singing section was now extolling Rooney's virtues, having praised everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to Nemanja Vidic and that long tribute to Eric Cantona. Nerves still raced around other parts of the ground. Giggs embarked on another dribble, releasing Kagawa but Rooney was caught out by the offside flag. Following a superb touch from Giggs, United built again and Rooney appealed loudly for a penalty when challenged by Carlos Martinez.