Wayne Rooney has been an outstanding servant to Manchester United and the Premier League since he burst on to the scene in 2002.
United’s star striker is a formidable opponent for any defender he comes up against, and he made history last night when he scored his 200th goal for the Red Devils against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Here, exclusively for GiveMeSport, Rooney takes a walk down memory lane and picks out his top five favourite United goals.
5. Fenerbahce, 2004
An 18-year-old Rooney burst onto the Old Trafford stage in September 2004, netting an unforgettable hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. His outstanding debut sealed United’s 6-2 victory.
The most impressive goal of Rooney’s debut hat-rick was a brilliantly-executed free-kick which he curled past Rustu Recber. This was a sign of things to come for the former Everton striker, who has now established himself as one of Manchester United’s all-time greats.
Talking to GiveMeSport the England International fondly remembers his debut for the Red Devils: “To complete a hat-trick with a free kick on my debut was something else. After already scoring two I just felt confident I could find the back the net.”
4. Portsmouth, 2007
Manchester United faced Portsmouth in the FA Cup 4th round back in 2007. Rooney had already scored once in the tie, and with just eight minutes left he produced an outstanding chip that Pompey goalkeeper David James could only marvel at.
“Lobbing David James in the FA Cup was a special goal for me,” Rooney told GiveMeSport. “It was a tough game and to score a special goal like that against a keep of David’s quality is something I won’t forget.”
After picking the ball up just outside of the box, Rooney took a quick glance up, saw the England ‘keeper off his line and chipped the the ball superbly into the back of the net.
James was rooted to the spot as he saw the stunning goal soar past him.
3. Middlesbrough, 2005
In this 4th round FA Cup tie, Rooney scored two magnificent goals as Manchester United beat Middlesborough 3-0.
Boro ‘keeper Mark Schwarzer was powerless to prevent Rooney doubling United’s lead on 67th minute with a superb strike. United’s star striker then provided another piece of magic by firing home a sizzling volley with just nine minutes left of the game.
The 27-year-old recalls: ‘I always remember my goal against Middlesborough when the ball come across my body and I hit it first time on the volley across the face of the goal. In terms of difficulty I see this as being up there with my best finishes.”
2. Newcastle, 2005
This famous Rooney volley was scored when United were 1-0 down against Newcastle United in 2005.
Rooney was screaming at referee Neale Barry until he spotted an half-cleared header by Peter Ramage.
The Manchester United youngster charged forward and unleashed his frustration in a powerful, stunning volley that goalkeeper Shay Given would have done well to see, let alone save.
Rooney’s superb effort triggered a Manchester United fightback as they sealed a 2-1 victory over the Magpies.
Rooney said: “A close second is my volley against Newcastle. I remember being unhappy about a decision, then when the ball has come out to me I just hit it as hard as I could on the volley and caught it perfect.”
The overhead-kick is one on Rooney’s most stunning goals.This spectacular late winner astounded the crowd and left fierce rivals Manchester City devastated at Old Trafford.
Writing in his book ‘My decade in the Premier League’, the 27-year-old said: “As I jog back to the centre circle, still tingling, I go into rewind. It’s ridiculous, I know, but I’m worried I might never feel this way again. I want to remember what’s just happened, to relive the moment over and over because it feels so good”.
The Manchester derby finished 2-1 to the home side as Rooney’s goal silenced United’s noisy neighbours.
Rooney told GiveMeSport: “my favourite goal has to be the overhead against Manchester City.
“It was a massive game for both teams and to score in that way was something I will never forget, the feeling was unbelievable.”
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Reporting by Babatunde Akinsola in Lagos, Nigeria.
