Top 7 Manchester United Goal Celebrations

There have been some iconic goal celebrations in recent times by players around the world. For a club of Manchester United's stature, goals have been flowing, so are the celebrations that follow.There have been lots of amazing celebrations by the red-devils in the past two decades. Here are the top seven goal celebrations by Manchester United in my opinion.

#7 Lee Sharpe (Arsenal 1994/95)

youtube-cover

Manchester United's Lee Sharpe was famous for his trademark goal celebration of shaking his hips like a dancer. Throughout his United career, most of his goals were followed by this stylish celebration. The most notable of all came against Arsenal in front of the Old Trafford crowd as Sharp ran towards the corner flag and pretended it to be a mic and sang like a rock-star along with his trademark hip-shake.

#6 Robin Van Persie (Stoke City 2012/13)

youtube-cover

The goal might have just come through a penalty-kick, but it meant a lot for him. The Dutch international finally ended his goal-drought for the club which stretched for nearly two months. He ran to the touchline and hugged the manager which nearly tripped him and also the first team coach Rene Meulensteen. Sir Alex kept selecting van Persie in the starting XI despite his poor form, it was a nice gesture from Robin as he showed his gratefulness to the gaffer for his persistent trust.

Sir Alex on the celebration : "He nearly killed me! He forgets I'm 71".

#5 Wayne Rooney (Manchester City 2009/10)

youtube-cover

It was the 2010 league cup semi-final, United were in cruise control with a 2-0 lead until ex-red Carlos Tevez pulled one back for the Sky Blues as the Manchester derby came alive. But, Wayne Rooney's dramatic header in the stoppage time made sure the reds go into the finals of the competition.

And it was followed by an acrobatic celebration by United's No.10 and a back-run to the corner flag to celebrate with the fans made it a remarkable celebration.

#4 Ryan Giggs (Arsenal 1998/99)

youtube-cover

The FA Cup semi-final replay between the Red Devils and the Gunners were on level terms and United are a man down with Roy Keane sent off. Ryan Giggs decides to take the situation in his hands as he takes one of the best runs in English football and goes past Arsenal players with ease and then a powerful finish took Manchester United into the finals.

Giggs then removes his shirt and swirls it as he runs towards the touchline to celebrate with his team-mates and staff as fans join the celebration too. Just Giggsy at his best!

#3 Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Kidd (Sheffield Wednesday 1992/93)

youtube-cover

10 April 1993: Title challengers Manchester United were a goal down to Wednesday as the game neared its end. Steve Bruce equalized in the 86th minute and then his second through a header in Fergie time gave the Reds a sparkling victory as United went on to win the their first title since the Busby era.

The winning goal also resulted in this celebration where Sir Alex jumps in excitement and his assistant Brian Kidd goes on his knees to celebrate the goal. The jubilant reaction by the duo was shortlisted for the best Premier League celebration.

#2 Ruud van Nistelrooy (Arsenal 2004/05)

youtube-cover

The English media dubbed it as the "Battle of the Buffet" as an invincible Arsenal side visited the Theatre of Dreams. The identical fixture of the previous season ended in a goal-less draw significant for van Nistelrooy's last minute penalty miss followed by reactions by Arsenal players towards him which resulted in fines and suspensions.

Wayne Rooney won a penalty for the home side which was neatly converted this time by Ruud van Nistelrooy, then came this unsurprising yet a breathtaking celebration which showed his sign of relief and a bold revenge as it ended Arsenal's 49 match unbeaten run.

#1 Eric Cantona (Sunderland 1996/97)

youtube-cover

Cantona takes an amazing run from the half-line, dribbles past two opponents and then exchanges a pass with McClair as he runs behinds another two defenders and then a stylish chip from the edge of the box followed by this, fashionable celebration.

Imprecisely, none of the footballers have tried to repeat this, not many have the reputation of the King. The sheer brilliance of the legend which resulted in an astonishing goal and the unforgettable celebration makes it the best of all time for Manchester United. It was also voted the best celebration in the 20 seasons of the Premier League.

Notable celebrations that missed out on the list :

  • Ryan Giggs and Paul Ince (Leeds United 1993/94)
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (Arsenal 2008/09)
  • Wayne Rooney (Manchester City 2010/11)

Article also on my blog

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor