Memories of United’s all time greatest goal scorer
Wayne Rooney left Manchester United earlier this season to rejoin his boyhood club Everton. This article will look at ten memories of Rooney which will live long in the memory of United fans.
10 Debut
The stuff dreams are made of. Imagine making your debut for one of the biggest clubs in the world, in the greatest club competition in the world, in one of the best stadiums in the world. No pressure. Wayne Rooney made his debut in August 2004 in front of a packed Old Trafford against Fenerbaçhe.
The fresh faced 18 year old took to the challenge like a duck to water. Rooney bagged himself a hat trick in the 6–2 victory. The highlight was a sweetly struck free kick in front of the Stretford End. “It was a great day for myself and the club, and is something I’ll never forget.”
9 First Trophy
Rooney’s first taste of success would come in 2006 in the League Cup final against Paul Jewell’s Wigan. Rooney was in irresistible form as he put in a man of the match performance and scoring a brace. The man also saw the beginning of a formidable friendship between Rooney and one Cristiano Ronaldo. (which we will get to later).
8. Newcastle Goal.
Part of what United fans loved so much about Rooney was he clearly a very talented soccer player however unlike most modern players he wore his heart on his sleeve. He embodied the passion and willing to die for the cause that the United fans adore. United were 1–0 down to Newcastle in the 55 minute when Rooney can be seen giving referee Mike Dean an ear full. Less than 2 seconds later Rooney see the ball coming his way through the air and the United striker produces one of the greatest volleys Old Trafford has ever seen. The goal was a perfect embodiment of what Rooney was all about.
7. That Sending Off.
United fans love passionate players, players who go onto the field willing to give everything to win. Keane, Hughes, Stam, Vidic were all players willing to die in the jersey. However sometimes they stepped over the line. Rooney can be placed in the same category. The striker had a habit off letting his emtions getting the better of him. In September 2005 United fans got their first glimpse of Rooney’s emotions boiling over. In a champions league match against Villarreal Rooney was sent off for sarcastically clapping the referee, who had booked him for an unintentional foul on an opponent. This is just one of seven red cards Rooney received during his career.
“There are players that have fire in them and he’s one of them. Take it out of him and you won’t get the same player. It’s about striking a balance. Roy Keane was the same, as was Paul Ince. You just hope the character of the player and the experiences of playing create that balance.” — Ryan Giggs
6. Unstoppable Partnership
The premier league has witnessed some unbelievable partnerships, Henry and Bergkamp, Shearer and Ferdinand, Cole and Yorke, Shearer and Sutton were all unstoppable strike forces. However for united fans there is one which was extra special Wayne Rooney and Chrisiano Ronaldo or Roon-aldo set the Premier league a light. The two young stars were incredible for United. in 2007 the two won their first premier league title. Ronaldo and Rooney would score an impressive 34 goals that season with both strikers providing numerous assist for the other. Scoring a record amount of goals in the 2007/2008 season, Ronaldo has Rooney to thank as the Englishman contributed to over half of his 42 strikes in that campaign.No United fan will forget Rooney and Ronaldo running riot against Arsenal in the champions league semi-final.
“The power of Wayne Rooney is his mentality and strength and he never stops. He’s a fantastic team player and he scores. He’s a fantastic boy and he helped me a lot when he came to join us in Manchester.” — Cristiano Ronaldo
5. Moscow
2009 saw United win their first champions league since the magnificent 1999 victory. The Red Devils defeated rivals Chelsea on penalties. Rooney played a vital role in United’s victory. Rooney would bag 4 vital goals during United’s dominant season in Europe. Rooney’s first goal would get the ball rolling as the United man headed home the winner to get their Group F campaign off to the perfect start with a 1–0 win at the Alvalade Stadium. Rooney was key to United being crowned kings of Europe for the third time.
4 & 3 The premier league titles/Captain
When players are judged on their career, the saying ‘he has won it all’ can only be applied to a select few. The list gets even shorter if you can apply that saying and call the player one of the greatest. In terms of Manchester United it is clear to say that Rooney has won it all and is one of greatest to play in the theatre of dreams. Rooney won five premier league titles 06–07, 07–08, 08–09, 10–11, 12–13.
Rooney’s place among the icons of Old Trafford was also secured via his appointment as club captain, an honour afforded to him on the eve of the 2014/15 season. Rooney’s first success as captain would come during the FA cup final victory against Crystal palace. Rooneys success will be fondly remembered at Man United. Though he received the United arm band during a transitional period for both the club and himself as a player, Rooney will remain one of the greatest players to ware the arm band.
“of course, he can score goals. Also, importantly, he’s a winner.” — Ian Rush
2. The record
Hughes, Cole, Giggs, Ronaldo, Law, Best, van Nistelrooy, Cantona are some of the finest players to ever wear the red of Manchester United. They all have something else in common…..None of them were able to beat Bobby Chartlon’s goal scoring record.Between 1956–1973 Charlton scored 249 goals for the red devils. This record would last until 2017. Rooney’s last minute goal away to Stoke would break the record and see him become United’s all time greatest goal scorer. Like him or lode him, one cannot deny Rooney’s ability to score goals.
“He is a true great for club and country, and it is fitting that he is now the highest goalscorer for both United and England” Boody Charlton
- That Goal
Iconic players produce iconic moment for which they are remembered Zidane’s goal in the champions league final, Gerrards bullet against Leverkusen, Bergkamp against Newcastle, Ronaldinho vs Madrid. When United fans here the name Wayne Rooney, many things come mind however the one that stands out above the rest has to be that winning goal against the old enemy Manchester City. If that was the only goal Ronney ever scored for Manchester United he would have still went down in history.
I can’t ever remember a better goal at Old Trafford. There was a Rooney volley against Newcastle I remember a few years ago with that kind of ferocity and we have had some fantastic goals here.”Sir Alex
