Wayne Rooney's top 10 goals for Manchester United

#7 vs. Barcelona, Champions League 2011

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 28: Wayne Rooney (L) and Ryan Giggs applaud the crowd after the UEFA Champions League final between FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC at Wembley Stadium on May 28, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) — Wayne Rooney’s goal was an important one in the context of the game.

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.

(Video Courtesy – UEFA.tv YouTube Channel)

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

MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 24: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United scores his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final, first leg match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Old Trafford on April 24, 2007 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) — Wayne Rooney (in red) scoring the all-important third goal against AC Milan.

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.

(Video Courtesy – GugaTV YouTube Channel)

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.