Thursday, October 26, 2006
Wayne Rooney is indeed blessed with a remarkable talent for one so young. As he celebrates his 21st birthday we look back at 21 of his finest Red moments so far…
1. Fenerbahce (W 6-2) September 2004, Old TraffordWhat better way to start repaying your £27million price tag than a hat-trick on your debut in the Champions League? It was the stuff dreams are made of. Rooney’s debut treble helped United to a 6-2 win over Fenerbahce. A hero was born… “What a night… what a player,” enthused United Review.
2. Middlesbrough, (W 3-0) January 2005, Old TraffordTwo goals, could have been more. One of Wayne’s two strikes was a delectable, deft chip, the other an unstoppable volley.
3. Liverpool, January 2005 (W 1-0), AnfieldAlways one for the big occasion, Rooney’s solitary goal gifted United a crucial away win at Anfield. He showed his delight by puffing his cheeks at the baying Kop End – one of the lasting images from the 2004/05 season.
4. Manchester City (W 2-0), February 2005, City of Manchester StadiumThe only Reds scorer on the day (Richard Dunne got an own goal) Rooney endeared himself to United’s fans with a stunning display against our nearest and (not so) dearest.
5. Portsmouth (W 2-1) February 2005, Old TraffordRooney grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck and won it almost single-handedly. “This wasn’t just about goals, they merely put the seal on a great all-round game by Rooney - every facet was perfect,” said Sir Alex.
6. Southampton (W 4-0), March 2005, St Mary’s StadiumRooney was rampant in this comfortable 4-0 FA Cup win on the South Coast. The Saints had no reply to his powerful, driving runs nor his incisive, subtle passing. Unfortunately goalkeeper Paul Smith denied him the goal he richly deserved.
7. Blackburn Rovers (D 0-0), April 2005, Old TraffordWayne was electric. His hard-working display was spoiled only by Brad Friedel’s right post, denying him a 30-yard corker that would have won the game.
8. Everton (L 0-1), April 2005, Goodison ParkAlways a threat against his former club, Rooney’s explosive pace and strength tested Everton’s ageing back line. Unfortunately his endeavour was not matched by his team-mates as the Reds fell to a 1-0 defeat.
9. Newcastle United (W 2-1), April 2005, Old TraffordHaving already run the Geordies ragged in the most one-sided FA Cup semi final you’ll ever see, Rooney scored a stunning 25-yard volley that left an indelible mark on everyone in the stadium.
10. Charlton Athletic (W 4-0), May 2005, The Valley“A Wazza masterclass,” said United Magazine. His display oozed class and he threatened as early as the first minute. Rooney finally got his first after earlier setting up Scholes and United’s fourth with a chip on 68 minutes.
11. Debreceni (W 3-0), August 2005, Old TraffordA hugely influential performance. Announcing his intent with an early opening goal to settle United’s nerves, Rooney then turned provider for United’s second and third after the
break. United Review described him as “a joy to watch.”
12. Everton (W 2-0), August 2005, Goodison ParkReds were treated to a clinical, devastating display that underlined Rooney’s growing maturity. He scored the first on returning to his old stomping ground and had a hand in Ruud’s opener.
13. Newcastle United (W 2-0), August 2005, St James’ ParkScoring the first in a 2-0 win over the Magpies, Rooney played with a prodigious skill and power, as well as a level of intensity only the giants of the game can reach.
14. Sunderland (W3-1), October 2005, Stadium of LightStar of the show once again. Rooney was at the centre of everything Rooney, scoring one, setting up another and playing with passion, guile and direction. Unstoppable.
15. Charlton Athletic (W 3-1), November 2005, The Valley“Rooney and Van Nistelrooy were great,” said Sir Alex after United’s first game after Roy Keane’s departure. Wazza couldn’t find the score sheet but he was inspirational throughout in a 3-1 win, setting up one of the goals of the season with a winding run.
16. West Ham (W 2-1), November 2005, Upton ParkOn a night when United (both Manchester and West Ham) celebrated the life of George Best, Wayne put in a scintillating display, scoring United’s first. “He’s only 20 and without question the best young player I’ve seen in my time,” enthused Sir Alex after the game. “If he keeps developing and maturing, goodness knows what he can become.”
17. Wigan Athletic (W 4-0), February 2006, Millennium StadiumWayne picks up his first winners’ medal having contributed two goals in a mesmerising performance against Wigan in Cardiff.
18. Newcastle United (W 2-0), March 2006, Old TraffordWazza scored his fifth and sixth goals against Newcastle in a Red shirt in a 2-0 win at Old Trafford, He stole the show with a bright, intelligent, lethal and powerful performance.
19. Arsenal (2-0), April 2006, Old TraffordScored, created… awesome once again. As well as leading the line he chased and harassed back when called for – he showed he is the man for the big occasion. One touch was all that was needed before rifling past Lehmann for United’s first, and it could have been two had the referee seen Toure’s ‘save’.
20. Fulham (W 5-1), August 2006, Old TraffordOne rebound and another that went in off Ian Pearce and Wazza was back after his injury-hit summer. This performance also dispelled the myth that there was a rift between Rooney and Ronaldo as the duo ran the Cottagers ragged.
21. Wigan Athletic (W 3-1), October 2006, JJB Stadium“In my opinion he’s the best player in the world,” said Paul Jewell after Wazza had helped blitz his side in a devastating 45-minute period. “He won’t care what I say, what you say or what the television people say. He’s got such strong belief in himself it doesn’t matter to him.” Rooney was revitalised and scintillating in attack. After hitting the bar in the first half he contributed three assists in the second.
HANA KIMI;
xX 8:18 PM
