Wayne Rooney is one of the greatest English players of all time and a Manchester United legend. In January, he cemented his spot at the top of Manchester United’s goalscoring charts as he surpassed the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton to become Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer.
A career that began at Everton and achieved its peak under Sir Alex Ferguson in Manchester is now slowly entering its final phase. Despite being captain, Wayne Rooney is no longer a regular starter under Jose Mourinho this season and has been playing the role of supporting cast for his team.
At 31 years of age, it can seem a premature decline in his game. However, having burst onto the scene at the age of 17, all these years of toil seems to have worn him down as age is catching up. However, his technical attributes including his finishing and creating ability are still intact and he can still have 3-4 years at the top if he changes clubs.
Moreover, he is England’s highest goalscorer and the second most-capped player having represented his country since 2003. He also holds the record of having scored the highest number of goals for one club in the Premier League with 180 goals for United and is second on the list of Premier League’s top goalscorers with 195 goals, ahead of the likes of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
Of the 250 goals Rooney scored for the Red Devils, some of them are certainly more memorable given the importance of the occasion or the quality of the goal scored or the technique involved in it. Here, we look at 10 top goals Rooney has scored in his long career at the Manchester club.
#10 vs. Aston Villa, Premier League 2015
One of his best goals in recent years, Wayne Rooney showcased his ball control and power in a net-scorching goal against Aston Villa. Having scored 13 goals against Villa in the league over his career, this definitely is the best among them all.
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After Angel di Maria found himself in acres of space to run into, Rooney showed his desire to run from midfield and into the box. When the Argentine sent in the cross, Rooney showed his excellent touch and control to bring the ball down but had turned his back towards goal in the process. However, he managed to unleash a vicious shot on the turn, beating the keeper and completed a fine goal to remember.
#9 vs. Stoke City, Premier League 2017
The record-breaking goal for Rooney arrived when the team needed it the most. Playing against a resolute Stoke side, United were struggling to breach the Potters’ defence and finally, Rooney was sent on by Mourinho to get the breakthrough. With Sir Bobby Charlton watching on from the stands, Rooney did what he has done countless times over the years and equalised for United deep into stoppage time to salvage a point.
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A free-kick on the left was set up as if to deliver a cross into the box. This fooled the Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant into getting prepared for a cross and Rooney scored a sumptuous free-kick into the far corner to save United and break the 43-year old scoring record along with it. It may not be his finest goal but it does emphasise how many times Wazza, as he is fondly called, has played saviour over the years for United despite more famous stars being present around him and it was fitting he broke the record in the same fashion.
#8 vs. Fenerbahce, Champions League 2004
There could be no better way to mark your debut at your new club than to score a hat-trick with all three goals from outside the box. And when the player is 18 years of age and playing at the Theatre of Dreams, it becomes truly special.
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Rooney scored three fantastic goals on his debut for United against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, but the one goal that stands out is the free-kick to complete the hat-trick. From a central position just outside the box, the former Evertonian lifted the ball beautifully beyond the wall and it dipped well enough while going away from the goalkeeper, thereby bringing out another dimension of his scoring capability that is a strong suit till today.
#7 vs. Barcelona, Champions League 2011
Another European goal on the list and this one is due to the importance it carried at the time of scoring. Manchester United faced Pep Guardiola’s legendary Barcelona team in the Champions League final for the second time in three years. Led by the imperious Lionel Messi, the Spanish side ran 2-0 winners in 2009. Touted as one of the greatest club sides of all time, United were facing an uphill task the 2011 final with the Catalans at their best.
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So, there were no surprises when United fell a goal behind in the early stages. However, Rooney stepped up with a brilliantly built goal to provide a slimmer of hope in the contest. After exchanging a quick one-two with Michael Carrick, Wazza played a delightful one-two with Ryan Giggs and then buried it empathetically into the net to restore parity for the English side. Although Barcelona went on to win 3-1, that goal was a crucial one for United and it showed Rooney’s ability to beat the legendary defence to score.
#6 vs. AC Milan, Champions League 2007
The final Champions League goal on the list, Wayne Rooney was in absolute top form when a legendary AC Milan side, led by Carlo Ancelotti, visited Old Trafford for the first leg. On one side Kaka shone for the Italian side and dominated the English side eventually in the second leg. However, Wayne Rooney stole the headlines in the first leg by scoring two goals for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to stage a comeback from 2-1 down.
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His second goal, scored late into the game to clinch the win, demonstrated Rooney’s outstanding finishing ability when he used to play as a striker as compared to the more withdrawn role in recent years. After Ryan Giggs’ pass took him slightly away from the goal at the edge of the box, Wazza unleashed a ferocious shot into the bottom corner at the near post, beating Milan goalkeeper Dida to put United in front. The quality of finishing and the importance of goal highlight Rooney's outstanding ability at that time.
#5 Hull City, Premier League 2013
Claimed by Rooney himself to be one of his best, the Manchester United no.10 scored an absolute beauty against Hull City to bring them back level in the match. United eventually went on to win the game and Rooney’s goal sparked the comeback.
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After the ball ricocheted off of a Hull defender just outside the box, Rooney reacted quickest to take one touch before hitting one of the sweetest strikes ever as the ball rose and dipped into the goal ahead of the jumping keeper. The accuracy and ability of the goal coupled with how sweet the ball came off his foot make it one of his best goals and he admitted as much.
#4 vs. West Ham, Premier League 2014
In a season that was mostly dull under David Moyes, Rooney provided a moment of pure genius to replicate a certain David Beckham’s long-range goal from a couple of decades back. It happened against West Ham and was a treat to witness.
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After dispossessing the West Ham defender just inside their half, Rooney looked up and unleashed a delightful lob that surprised Adrian who could not scramble back in time. The goal showcased Rooney’s ability as well as judgement to execute such a shot. It became even more memorable with David Beckham in the stands to see it happen in front of his own eyes and his expression says it all.
#3 Portsmouth, FA Cup 2007
In a long and illustrious career, Rooney’s penchant for scoring from outside the box has been constantly evident, especially the thunderbolts. However, this delightful piece of skill against Portsmouth in 2007 was different and special at the same time.
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After receiving the pass from Gary Neville outside the box, all it took was one look at the keeper for Rooney and he floated the ball into the net in an outstanding display of anticipation, skill and vision. Out of the countless goals he has scored, this one remains a special one purely for the beauty and delicateness with which it was scored.
#2 Newcastle, Premier League 2005
Talking about Rooney and thunderbolts, this goal epitomises the power, aggression and talent the Englishman possessed in a fine manner. On the verge of being substituted and frustrated over the referee Neale Barry, Rooney decided to channel it in a productive manner, unlike most players.
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When the ball flew towards him from a defensive header, Wazza directed his frustration towards his right foot and Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given did not stand a chance against the fury in the shot. At a young age, with aggression building up, it was a sign of the greatness Rooney was going to achieve in his career and it is fair to say he is one of the greatest English players of all time.
#1 Manchester City, Premier League 2011
The noisy neighbours had made a comeback into the elite of English football with a massive cash injection as Sheikh Mansour took over the club in 2008. With the noise levels increasing, the Manchester derby became cauldrons for feisty matches and in one such match at Old Trafford, Rooney scored what was named as the greatest goal in the Premier League till then.
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Nani’s cross deflected off a defender forcing Rooney to adjust his position if he had to at least register a shot on target. However, Rooney decided to go for the spectacular and went for an athletic overhead kick to compensate for the change in ball trajectory. Although he failed to make perfect contact and shinned the shot, it flew into the top corner beating keeper Joe Hart.
The importance of the goal, the sheer audacity in attempting it and pulling off a great footballing moment makes it the crowning jewel among Rooney’s goals and therefore rightfully sits at the top of the list.
