Career in Pictures: Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney
Football Soccer Britain - Manchester United v Everton - Wayne Rooney Testimonial - Old Trafford - 3/8/16 Manchester United's Wayne Rooney applauds the fans after the match Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Shoot! would like to wish former England striker Wayne Rooney many happy returns as he celebrates his 32nd birthday this evening.
The Manchester United legend, who is currently starring for Premier League rivals Everton, having started his career with The Toffees, earned 119 international caps for The Three Lions during his international career, becoming his country’s all-time top goalscorer with 53 strikes.
Furthermore, after leaving Old Trafford this summer on a free transfer, Rooney departed United as the club’s all-time record scorer, having netted 253 times in 559 appearances in all competitions for The Red Devils since 2004.
Shoot! is paying tribute to the current Everton forward by putting together five of his most defining moments of his Premier League Career in Pictures.
Everton’s Wayne Rooney.
Rooney; who was born in Croxteth, Liverpool, is second on the all-time top goalscorers chart in the Premier League with 202 goals, only behind Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer (260).
To celebrate Rooney’s latest milestone, here is five of his most defining moments of his Premier League Career in Pictures…
Opening his account
Match Winner Wayne Rooney and Kevin Campbell celebrate at the final whistle.
On October 19, 2002, 16-year-old Rooney netted a stunning last-minute winner (2-1) against Arsenal to end the Gunners’ 30-match unbeaten run at Goodison Park.
The first of hundreds of strikes in the Premier League for Rooney.
Manchester United Move
New Manchester United signing Wayne Rooney with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
In August 2004, Rooney submitted a transfer request, seeing ultimately Everton accept a £25.6m offer from Manchester United for the England international starlet.
Then just 18-years-old, the transfer fee was the highest ever paid for a player under the age of 20.
Hat-trick hero
Wayne Rooney celebrates with the matchball after scoring the fourth goal for Manchester United to complete his hat-trick.
On October 28, 2006, during Manchester United’s 4-0 hammering of Bolton Wanderers away from home, Rooney scored his first Premier League hat-trick.
Strikes in the 10th, 16th and 89th minute, alongside a further goal from Cristiano Ronaldo, saw The Red Devils run out comfortable winners on their way to the 2006-07 Premier League title.
Manchester City Magic
Wayne Rooney scores the winning goal for Manchester United.
Fast forward to February 12, 2011, Rooney labelled his remarkable bicycle kick in the Manchester Derby as the best goal of his career.
His incredible acrobatic effort in the 78th minute proved to be the winner as Manchester United fought off arch rivals Manchester City 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson also confessed Rooney’s bicycle kick was the best goal he had ever seen inside The Theatre of Dreams.
Record holder Rooney
Wayne Rooney scores from a free kick to break the all time goalscoring record for Manchester United.
And finally, back on January 21, 2017, Rooney finally surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as Manchester United’s outright all-time leading goalscorer.
He netted his 250th goal for The Red Devils with a stunning free kick against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium, earning his side a 1-1 draw.