Wayne Rooney burst onto the Old Trafford stage in September 2004, netting an unforgettable hat-trick against Fenerbahce on his debut. He’d arrived from Everton, his boyhood club, becoming the world’s most expensive teenager in the process. By the end of the 2004/05 campaign Rooney had amassed 17 goals in 43 appearances and was rightly named PFA Young Player of the Year.
Rooney’s second season at Old Trafford saw him take huge strides. He was instrumental in United winning the Carling Cup, scoring 2 in the final against Wigan. He ended the season with 19 goals in 48 matches and was voted both Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year by fans and PFA Young Player of the year (again) by his fellow professionals.
In the 06/07 season Rooney went on to net 23 times for United as the Reds lifted the Premier League title, a feat that would be repeated in the 07/08 and 08/09 seasons. Wayne then cemented himself in the United history books as he helped them secure an unprecedented 19th league title in 2011. His hard work and efforts were rewarded in October 2010 when he penned a new five-year deal, guaranteeing his long-term United future. One of Wayne’s best seasons was 11/12 which seen him equal his best season tally of 34 goals.
In August 2014, Wayne was given the armband and named club captain. This was a proud moment, he said: “It’s a huge honour for me to captain this great club and I will take great pride in doing so”.
On 21st January 2017, Wayne scored a stunning stoppage time free-kick against Stoke City to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s record and become Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer.