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The Best Moments Of Wayne Rooney's Career Ranked

The Best Moments Of Wayne Rooney's Career Ranked

Rooney's winner in the Manchester derby might have come off his shin but it still ranks highly in his list of great moments.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan Sidle

It's been 10 years since Wayne Rooney scored his magnificent overhead kick to win the Manchester derby for Manchester United, but where does it go on our list of Rooney's best moments?

The former United forward had an incredible playing career from 2002, when he made his debut for Everton, until the beginning of this year, when he officially retired as a player to take over as manager at Derby County.

There wasn't much Rooney didn't win during his career, at club level at least, and he broke some very long standing records along the way.

We've ranked the best moments of the Liverpudlian's career, from the moment he burst onto the scene all the way until surprising us in the MLS.

15. Manchester United vs Barcelona, Champions League final 2011 - Not a great moment for United, as Pep Guardiola's Barcelona beat them for a second time in three years in the Champions League final, but Rooney scored an absolutely brilliant goal to make it 1-1, before the Catalan giants went on to win.

14. Everton vs Manchester City, August 2017 - It might not have been his best striker but returning to put the Toffees 1-0 up against City after leaving their rivals United was sweet. His 200th Premier League goal also gave us the great moment of Rooney annoying the same City fan he'd annoyed four years previous.

13. Manchester United vs West Ham, March 2014 - If West Ham fans were glad to see the forward retire earlier this year then you can fully appreciate why. The first of his two halfway line goals against the Hammers. Scoring this in front of David Beckham made it all the more special.

12. DC United vs Orlando City, August 2018 - After an incredible career, the forward really could have taken his foot off the gas in the MLS. Against Orlando he proved that wasn't the case as he ran back in the 95th minute, made a game saving challenge and then put on the most brilliant assist!

11. Manchester United vs Aston Villa, EFL Cup Final 2010 - For all the titles and cups Rooney won he only scored the winner in one final. James Milner scored an early penalty, Michael Owen soon equalised before coming off injured before Rooney headed home late in the second half to make it 2-1.

10. Manchester United vs Aston Villa, Premier League 2013 - United's most recent league title was finished off by Robin van Persie's hat-trick. The third goal was a wonderful volleyed finish but without Rooney's vision and ability to find the pass it wouldn't have been possible. Sublime work all round.

9. England vs Croatia, Euro 2004 - Rooney helped the Three Lions bounce back from a goal behind to Croatia with an assist for Paul Scholes, the equaliser, before scoring two himself, the second an unstoppable strike. After losing the first game against France, England were through to face Portugal.

8. Everton vs West Ham, November 2017 - Rooney may have started his career at Goodison Park in 2002 but it wasn't until 15 years later he scored his first hat-trick for the team. He finished it off with a brilliant 59-yard strike, with Joe Hart out of his goal.

7. Manchester United vs Newcastle United, April 2005 - Perhaps no goal encapsulates Rooney better than the winner against Newcastle. Chewing the referees ear off about a decision not going in his favour, 'Wazza' suddenly ran onto the ball and volleyed it home from distanced. Power, passion, genius and a winner!

6. Manchester United vs Stoke City, January 2017 - It came in a 1-1 draw with Stoke but Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's record of most goals for United that had stood at 249 since 1973. The modern day great scored a brilliant injury time free kick to break the record and secure a point for his side. No time to celebrate Rooney wanted the ball back on the centre spot to try and force a winner, pure class.

Rooney curls in his record breaking goal. Image: PA Images
Rooney curls in his record breaking goal. Image: PA Images

5. England vs Switzerland, September 2015 - Rooney broke Sir Bobby's record for England 18 months before he would do it again for United. This time the forward reached 50 international goals by scoring a penalty in the European Championships qualifier. It was rather apt that he broke the 45 year record against Switzerland.

4. Manchester United vs Manchester City, February 2011 - If the worst you can say about a goal is that a man flying off the ground and kicking a ball upside down hit it with his shin then you've rather lost the argument. Vincent Kompany kept the United forward quiet for much of the Manchester derby but he leapt high to turn home Nani's cross and win the game. An unbelievable goal!

3. England vs Switzerland, Euro 2004 - Rooney made his international debut against Australia early in 2003 and by the time the Euros came about he was a regular. He played as England lost to France in their opening group game but came of age in the second match. The teenager became the youngest ever scorer at the Euros when he opened the scoring with a header. His second of the game probably should have been an own goal, as his long range shot ricocheted off the post, onto the keeper's head and into the net, but it went down as his. A star was born on the international stage.

2. Everton vs Arsenal, October 2002 - I could just type 'Remember the name' and be done with it! 16-year-old Rooney scored the most remarkable long range goal to end Arsenal's 30 game unbeaten run and the Premier League champions were left shell shocked by a teenager. It would not be the first time the Gunners would have a long run ended by Rooney but it was a special moment for a player who was just about to become special. As coming of age moments go, this one was pretty good.

1. Manchester United vs Fenerbahce, September 2004 - Rooney's performances, especially at the Euros, forced Sir Alex Ferguson to move for the teenager earlier than he might have liked but once he'd splashed out £30 million on Rooney there was no way he'd wait to get him in the team. Once he overcame injury, the striker was straight in against Fenerbahce to make his United and Champions League debut. A nearly 17-year-old Ryan was very excited to see Rooney and the new United signing didn't take long too impress. The teenager scored a hat-trick, becoming the youngest scorer of one in the competition, including a brilliant 20 yard strike and a free kick, and even set up another goal in the 6-2 win. Not a bad way to introduce yourself to the club where you'd become a legend.

What's your favourite Rooney moment?

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Derby County, Manchester United, MLS, Premier League, England, Everton, Champions League, DC United, Wayne Rooney, championship