Wayne Rooney completes a decade playing for Manchester UnitedTen years ago today, a 19-year-old Wayne Rooney walked into the famous red tunnel at Old Trafford for the first time to play against Fenerbahce. Ten years, 218 goals, 5 Premier League titles and 1 European Cup later, the United number 10 will lead the same Manchester United team with the captain’s arm band when they line up against West ham today.It couldn’t have gone any better for Rooney. Already a Manchester United legend, he has written his name indelibly into the reds folklore by becoming one of the only four players to have scored more than 200 goals for the club. Needless to say, most of those goals have been simply fantastic. So here we try and compile a list of Rooney’s top ten most wonderful goals for Manchester United:
#10 Hattrick vs Fenerbahce
Just when anyone thought that a 19-year-old boy with a 25 million pounds price tag (at that time) playing his first match at Old Trafford in Europe’s top competition would feel any nervous, Rooney simply shrugged it off by scoring these three sumptuous goals in his debut.
The first one, a great finish from just outside the box off his left foot. The second one, a low hard drive from 25 yards into the bottom left corner after a shimmy and the third one, a perfectly curled free kick into the top left corner.
Talk about hitting the ground running – just as those balls went nestling into the net, Rooney went bustling straight into the every Manchester United fan’s heart.
#9 Long range vs Liverpool
Albeit a little mistake from the Liverpool goalkeeper, it must be said that the power behind the shot from Rooney was too hot to handle for the Jerzy Dudek. Not to mention the wild celebrations thereafter scoring against one of your biggest rivals and a team that you simply hate after being born on the blue half of Merseyside.
#8 Deft finish vs Chelsea
Scoring late goals has been one of the hallmarks of Manchester United sides over the past decade and this deft finish from Rooney’s left foot to equalize in the 92nd minute against Chelsea in the 2011 Community Shield was yet another demonstration of that never-say-die attitude.
Rooney beat the offside trap to latch onto a beautiful ball from Ryan Giggs, took it away from Bosingwa with his first touch and then cutely dinked over the on rushing Petr Cech for the equalizer. Great finish to say the least!
#7 Instinctive volley vs Middlesborough
Perfect example of an instinctive finish in a FA cup tie against Middlesborough which United were already winning 2-0.
Louis Saha won the header off a long ball from defense and guided the ball towards Rooney who, without letting the ball land on the ground, hit it first time into the top left corner leaving the goalkeeper with absolutely no chance. A wonderful display of power and technique.
#6 Brilliant finish vs Barcelona
What a moment to score a wonderful goal against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League final.
Taking a leaf out of Barcelonas own tiki-taka, Rooney played a one-two with Carrick on the right hand side of Catalans half and passed the ball forward to Giggs in the penalty area, who controlled the ball with his first touch and laid it off for Rooney who had continued his run and hit it first time into the top left corner. Starting and finishing the move with aplomb.
#5 Blitzkreig counterattack vs Bolton
From edge of their own penalty area into the back of the oppositions net in ten seconds max.At number five is breathless counter attack followed by a delectable finish from Wayne Rooney.
Cristianlo Ronaldo picked up a loose ball at the edge of Uniteds own area and played a disguised pass on to Rooney who laid it off first time back to Ronaldo. The Portuguese then ran 40 yards with the ball and laid a beautiful pass into the path of Rooneywho continued his run and dinked the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper to cap off a wonderful move.
#4 Exquisite chip vs Portsmouth
A goal that Eric Cantona would have been proud of.
Rooney received the ball 25 yards away from the Portsmouth goal and saw the keeper off his line. What he did next was a piece of sheer brilliance. With a little look up, he floated the ball up and over and into the back of the net with a hapless David James left as a mere spectator.
#3 Long range vs West Ham United
If Eric Cantona would have been proud of the previous one, then David Beckham would have drooled over this one.
Ashley Young clears the ball from the edge of his own area which bounces in front of Rooney near the half way line. Rooney, hoping that the goalkeeper would be off his line, hit the ball first time on the volley to see the ball float over the keeper and into the back of the net. Simply extraordinary!
Coincidentally, David Beckham, who scored a similar goal against Wimbledon long time back, was present in the stands to watch this match.
#2 Thunderbolt volley vs Newcastle
Power and skill, its all here in this thunderbolt at number two.
In what is arguably the best ever volley hit in the Premier League, Rooney showcasedwhat he is made of. United needed something special to break a resolute Newcastledefense. And boy, special it was from Rooney! Absolutely stunning!
#1 Overhead kick vs Manchester City
Sir Alex Ferguson said, Its the best ever goal scored at Old trafford.
Martin Tayler while commentating said, It defies description. Period!
