Premier League Team of the Week: Rooney stars again after Manchester derby win

Dec 11, 2012 8:40:00 AM

Rafael and Rio Ferdinand also feature for the Red Devils following the 3-2 victory, while Chelsea striker Fernando Torres returns to our XI thanks to his double against Sunderland

Manchester United trio Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael all star in our TOTW after a dramatic 3-2 victory over arch rivals City, in turn opening up a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Rooney scored both goals as the Red Devils took a 2-0 first-half lead and features for a second consecutive week in our XI.

Ferdinand's afternoon will be remembered for an incident which saw him struck with a coin thrown from the crowd during the celebrations following Robin van Persie's winner, but the 34-year-old's commanding performance at the Etihad Stadium sees him make the cut.

Brazil right-back Rafael makes his third appearance in our side this season, and joins the centre-back in defence. There is also a place for Manchester City's David Silva, despite the champions' first league defeat of the season.

In a week to savour for Fernando Torres, the Spaniard's double for Chelsea in the 3-1 victory away to Sunderland sees him included alongside fellow Blue Juan Mata, who appears for a sixth time this year.

Mikel Arteta stars following his penalty double which got Arsenal back track against West Brom, while Norwich City midfielder Robert Snodgrass completes our midfield after scoring the winner in the 4-3 away victory at Swansea.

Leighton Baines' impressive display in Everton's late comeback win over Tottenham sees him included at left-back, with Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte completing our backline, while Reading shot-stopper Adam Federici rounds off our XI in goal.

Jason Puncheon is unfortunate not to make the cut after scoring the winner for the Saints against the Royals. Van Persie, Carlton Cole and Jay Rodriguez are also all unlucky to miss out.

FEDERICI

READING

vs Southampton (A)

Rating:

TOTW Apps: 1

RAFAEL	FERDINAND	FONTE	BAINES

MAN UNITED	MAN UNITED	SOUTHAMPTON	EVERTON
vs Man City (A)	vs Man City (A)	vs Reading (H)	vs Tottenham (H)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 4	TOTW Apps: 1	TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 4

SNODGRASS	ARTETA	SILVA

NORWICH	ARSENAL	MAN CITY
vs Swansea (H)	vs West Brom (H)	vs Man United (A)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 3	TOTW Apps: 2

ROONEY	TORRES	MATA

MAN UNITED	CHELSEA	CHELSEA
vs Man City (A)	vs Sunderland (A)	vs Sunderland (A)
Rating:	Rating:	Rating:
TOTW Apps: 3	TOTW Apps: 2	TOTW Apps: 6