Wayne Rooney Runs on Rage By GRAHAM RUTHVEN

Six months ago, Wayne Rooney cut a rather despondent figure. The injuries and the media scandals in his private life appeared to have taken their toll on Manchester United’s star striker, both mentally and physically. Critics and fans were assured that he would return to his best soon enough, but until the start of 2011, evidence of such a recovery was scant.



But in typically fickle fashion, Rooney was judged to have truly returned with one glorious overhead kick in February’s derby win against Manchester City.






That goal was something of a watershed moment for Rooney, who went on to display the sort of form that had some hailing him as the world’s most complete player at this time last year. His hat-trick against West Ham on Saturday was just another stage in his recovery, propelling Manchester United to a stunning comeback from a two-goal deficit to a 4-2 victory at Upton Park.

But in an incident symbolic of another closely watched part of Rooney’s persona, his exploits on the field were overshadowed by the profanity-laced tirade he launched into a live television camera immediately after completing his hat trick.

Instead of reveling in the praise for his goals, Rooney was showered with criticism, and on Wednesday he will find out how long he will be punished by the F.A. for his televised outburst. (Unfortunately for Rooney, the Premier League had only just announced a crackdown on “unacceptable” behavior by players and managers. Rooney’s recovery might have been timely, but the latest flare-up of his volatile temper certainly was not.) He has appealed his two-match suspension, hoping to have it reduced so that he can play in the F.A. Cup semifinals, but by doing so has risked receiving a longer ban.

Anger has always been an integral part of Rooney’s personality. Six years ago when he lashed in a crashing volley against Newcastle United, he “celebrated” by slinging a roar of frustration and rage at the Old Trafford crowd. He took on England fans in his last monologue, and once even took out a camera itself. His actions Saturday illustrated a man whose anger has proved to be his motivation once again.

The gradual emergence of his Mexican strike partner, Javier Hernandez, has undoubtedly aided Rooney’s revival. In a season in which United’s strikers — Rooney, Hernandez and the increasingly bench-warming Dimitar Berbatov — have conveniently taken turns grabbing the goals, Rooney appears to have now firmly taken on the mantle of carrying United to its record 19th league title.

His return to form could prove timely on Wednesday, when United will travel to Stamford Bridge for the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal.

Chelsea won’t like him when he’s angry.