Wayne Rooney is the 2nd player I watched and took instant liking to after seeing him play for 90 minutes. The first was Eric Cantona. I just knew Rooney was Manchester United material. I also remember that goal against Arsenal in 2002 which was the game that actually brought him to limelight. It was a stunner of a goal.
A wonderful performance for England at Euro 2004, scoring 4 goals in the process made my beloved Manchester United push for his signature despite damaging his fifth metatarsal at the tourney in the quarter final tie against hosts Portugal. Boom he signed for Manchester United and scored a hattrick on his debut against Galatasaray. United paid over £25m for Wazza’s services. Money well spent.
Rooney went on to spend 13 years at Manchester United becoming the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals in all competitions. He is also England’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in 120 games. Wazza left United for his boyhood club Everton where he spent a year before heading to the United States to team up with D.C United for 2 years. He made the trip back to England signing for Championship side Derby County as a player and Assistant Manager to then Manager Phillip Cocu.
Rooney has always been my favourite United player since Ruud Van Nistelrooy left the club in 2006. Yes there was Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Carlos Tevez and the likes but Rooney was someone who’s passion for the game I admired.
My favourite Wayne Rooney moment was however in the Manchester Derby against noisy neighbours Manchester City, it was an overhead kick which won the game for the Red Devils in February, 2011. Let me just add that Manchester United won the league that season.
Rooney has finally put an end to his playing career and is now the full time manager of Derby County.
All the best Wazza as you fully pick up the reins in football management.
Till tomorrow, CHEERS!!!