Manchester United vs. Club Brugge: Score, Reaction for Champions League Leg 2

Wayne Rooney's hat-trick helped Manchester United progress to the group stage of this season's UEFA Champions League after beating Club Brugge 7-1 on aggregate. United won 4-0 in the second leg at Jan Breydel Stadium, thanks to Rooney and Ander Hererra.

Rooney scored his first just prior to 20 minutes, following some nice link play with Memphis Depay. He struck again after a fine team move a few minutes into the second half. His hat-trick goal followed after some good work from Juan Mata.

As Bleacher Report UK's Instagram noted, Rooney's triple success ended a prolonged scoring drought:

Heading into the game, United's significant team news was the omission of summer arrival Morgan Schneiderlin. He was replaced in midfield by Basque pass master Herrera.

Leaving out the defensive-minded Schneiderlin in an away game represented something of a gamble from Red Devils gaffer Louis van Gaal, yet he indicated his summer signing needed the break, according to Bleacher Report's Rob B.:

Elsewhere, Van Gaal stuck with the same back four that's kept three-straight clean sheets to start this season's Premier League. He also maintained the Rooney-Depay partnership in attack.

United's official Twitter account provided the full team:

As for Brugge, attacking midfielder Abdoulay Diaby took up the vital No. 10 role. But experienced midfield anchorman Timmy Simons, injured during the first leg, was the notable absentee, per the team's Twitter feed:

United got off to a rocky start when Herrera picked up a booking inside the first 15 minutes. Diaby was causing problems with his movement and technique. Striker Tom de Sutter wasted a promising early chance.

Overall though, it was a surprisingly cautious opening period from both teams considering the Belgians were trailing 3-1 after the first leg. But after nearly 20 scrappy minutes, Depay used his pace from the left flank to push back a timid Brugge defence.

United's marquee summer import cut in, and rather than shaping to shoot, he played a smart reverse pass to Rooney. He calmly lifted the ball over Brugge goalkeeper Sinan Bolat to give United the priceless away goal.

Manchester Evening News writer Rob Dawson admired Rooney's technique for the finish:

It had been a while since the Red Devils' No. 10 found the net, per Squawka:

United were getting a lot of joy down the flanks. Adnan Januzaj was also cutting in from the right and causing problems.

Brugge needed skipper Victor Vazquez to exert some influence in possession. But United's deep defensive line consistently crowded the Spaniard out.

Armed with the security of an away goal, the Red Devils were content to strike on the break. When they did counter, the Rooney-Depay combination made chances.

The former chipped a brilliant pass into Depay's path just before the 30-minute mark. Sadly, the winger's touch was a tad too heavy, and Bolat gathered.

Soon after, Daley Blind repelled a ball across the United box after some rare string-pulling from Vazquez. Generally though, United stayed comfortable.

Depay spurned another chance on the break after a defensive gaffe from Brugge. His curled, side-foot effort was blocked.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

De Sutter stung Sergio Romero's palms before Blind's errant header led to a corner, as Brugge made a fist of it just before the break. A flicked, near-post header from the corner really should have been met by a Belgian boot.

Then Diaby inexplicably wasted being put through by Vazquez. He rounded Romero, but the Argentinian stopper clawed the ball back.

Van Gaal introduced Bastian Schweinsteiger for Januzaj at the break. It seemed like a sign United were ready to slow things down and let the game trickle out.

But instead, it was another free-flowing move, involving left-back Luke Shaw, Depay and finally Herrera, that teed up Rooney for a tap-in. Seconds earlier, the England striker was denied what he felt was a penalty. Now he'd put the tie to rest.

United were now deadly on the break. Mata really should have put Depay through but over-hit his pass. But the Spaniard got it right when he rolled the ball into Rooney's path to allow the England man to calmly sweep it under the 'keeper.

It was a rare European hat-trick for Rooney, per BT Sport:

Herrera got the fourth after a clever, defence-splitting pass from Schweinsteiger. United were now chasing a club-record win in Europe.

Van Gaal showed no mercy by introducing striker Javier Hernandez with Rooney and Depay still on the pitch. The Mexican missed a late penalty after a contentious handball call. Justifiably, Hernandez hit his spot-kick well wide.

Van Gaal and assistant Ryan Giggs were less than impressed:

It got worse for Hernandez when Ashley Young whipped a low cross into his path. Hernandez clumsily turned the ball over the bar.

Still, United had more than done enough to book a return to Europe's premier club competition.

In terms of the draw, United are now in Pot 2 ahead of the groups being determined, according to Squawka:

Van Gaal insists he won't be a keen observer of the draw, preferring instead to check in on United's reserve players, according to Squawka News:

But the Dutchman did offer his support to Rooney during an interview with BT Sport, insisting the player's mentality and "level" means he'll always bounce back from a barren spell:

Rooney himself shrugged off the criticism of his recent struggles in front of goal, insisting he has a "strong character" and "knows his quality":

United have found goals hard to come by so far during Premier League matches. But the Champions League has been kind to Van Gaal's men after seven goals in two games. That should build confidence ahead of the trip to Swansea City.