Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney scored a sensational freekick in a charity match against Celtic on Saturday, September 7. Playing in a Legends game, Rooney turned back the clock with a breathtaking kick that crashed into the top corner of the opposition team. Rooney stunned the crowd at the Old Trafford with his precision and technique, years after leaving professional football.
The former England forward currently coaches Plymouth Argyle Football Club in the EFL Championship. The legendary player retired from professional football back in 2021 after a one-year stint with Derby County. Loving called Wazza, Rooney left the Premier League in 2018, after a one-year stint with Everton and played in Major League Soccer in the United States of America. Since retiring, Rooney has coached Derby County, DC United, and Birmingham City. Apart from his position at Derby, all have been one-season stints so far.
Manchester United celebrated Rooney's goal with a post on social media, giving him a tribute for his first ever goal for the side.
Wayne Rooney is widely regarded as one of the greatest English football players of all time. His illustrious career at Manchester United, spanning over a decade, was marked by numerous accolades and records that cemented his status as a football legend.
Rooney joined Manchester United in 2004 from Everton for a then-record fee of £25.6 million, becoming the highest-paid 20-year-old player at the time. His debut for the club was nothing short of spectacular, scoring a hat-trick and assisting another goal in a 6-2 win against Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League. This impressive start set the tone for his remarkable career at Old Trafford.
During his time at Manchester United, Rooney won an astonishing 16 trophies, including five Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. He was instrumental in the club's success, consistently scoring crucial goals and providing assists that often turned the tide of matches in United's favour.
Rooney's individual achievements at Manchester United are equally impressive. He holds the record for the most goals scored for the club with 253 goals in all competitions, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing record. His 183 Premier League goals for United are the third-most scored by a player for any single club, behind only Harry Kane and Sergio Ag¼ero. Additionally, Rooney is the fourth-highest assist provider in the Premier League with 103 assists.
Rooney's impact on English football extends beyond his club career. He made his senior international debut for England in 2003 at the age of 17, becoming the youngest-ever goalscorer for the national team. He went on to score 53 goals in 120 international appearances, holding the record for most goals scored by an English player until 2023. Rooney was also named England's captain in 2014 and led the team in several major tournaments, including the World Cup and the European Championship.
Rooney's influence on English football is not limited to his on-field achievements. He has been an inspiration to younger generations of players, and his professionalism and dedication to the sport have earned him widespread respect. His autobiography, "Wayne Rooney: My Story So Far," published in 2006, provides a unique insight into his life and career, further solidifying his status as a football icon.
In conclusion, Wayne Rooney's career at Manchester United was marked by unparalleled success, individual brilliance, and a lasting impact on English football. His records and achievements continue to inspire and influence the sport, ensuring his legacy as one of the greatest English football players of all time.
A team of Manchester United legends rolled back the years against Celtic on Saturday.
The likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes all returned to Old Trafford in the name of charity.
But it was Wayne Rooney who stole the show for the Red Devils by opening the scoring with a sublime first-half free kick.
The current Plymouth Argyle manager’s sweetly-struck effort also ended a lengthy hoodoo for his former club on home soil.
Rooney’s pinpoint opener marked, technically, the first time the Red Devils had scored from a free kick at the Theatre of Dreams for two years.
Old Trafford was treated to one final moment of magic from Wayne Rooney but it was the Celtic Legends who beat Manchester United's Legends via a penalty shootout.
The contest finished 1-1 after 90 minutes after Rooney's wondrous free-kick was cancelled out by Gary Hooper.
Rooney struck home from 25 yards out just before half-time, curling his set piece up and over the wall into the top left corner.
Hoops goalkeeper Artur Boruc was rooted to the spot and could only watch while Rooney stood with his arms outstretched and was immediately mobbed by his teammates.
Plymouth Argyle boss Rooney was in fine form for the 63 minutes as he drifted across the final third and looked to create moments of magic.
His former Red Devils teammate Michael Carrick also did not look out of place on the hallowed turf at Old Trafford where he enjoyed 12 seasons.
The former midfielder, who now manages Middlesbrough, showed plenty of fine footwork to dance past several green and white shirts but sadly could not translate it to a goal and came off at half-time having felt his hamstring.
Dimitar Berbatov also came agonisingly close to scoring in the second half, as his delicate chip from a tight angle on the right clipped the top of the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.
United hero Paul Scholes was another who returned to his old stomping grounds and showed why he was beloved by the Red Devils faithful, spraying the ball across every inch of the park.
Despite the star power of United legends, Celtic were worthy opponents and scored a deserved equaliser in the 62nd minute after a period of dominance in the second half.
Ex-Hoops and Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov unleashed a long-range effort that clattered off the crossbar and Hooper was on hand to tap home into an empty net.
Although the contest was held at Old Trafford, Celtic were backed by a vocal group of 3,000 passionate supporters who travelled down.
The Celtic Legends, managed by Paul Lambert, also had to make do with just four outfield substitutes.
Despite the ages and fitness levels of the respective players, the contest remained competitive
Yet they managed to outlast United in a penalty shootout, with substitute goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska diving to his right to deny Danny Webber.
Webber's effort was the only one saved, with Rooney, Denis Irwin, Nicky Butt and Darren Fletcher scoring for United while Charlie Mulgrew, Jonny Hayes, Stephen McManus, Simon Donnelly and Darren O'Dea scored for the Hoops.
The star-studded match, which raised over £1million for the Manchester United Foundation, ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Gary Hooper cancelling out Rooney’s 42nd-minute wondergoal.
United’s team, managed by Bryan Robson and featuring the likes of Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and Rooney, went on to lose 5-4 on penalties in front of a 33,000-strong crowd at the Theatre of Dreams.
Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc could only stand and admire the strike as it curled over the wall and into the top left corner of the net.
‘Yeah, I’m alright with the ball at my feet. It’s just the running part!’ Rooney – United’s all-time record scorer – joked when speaking to MUTV after his goal.
‘I was tempted to shoot more but wanted to keep the ball as well.’
Ahead of kick-off, Rooney – now the manager of Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle – admitted he was ‘scared’ to put on his boots again after being away from the game for so long.
‘It’s a bit scary to be honest. It’s my first game for a long time,’ he said.
‘But no, I’m looking forward to it, being back on the pitch and seeing the fans again will be great.
‘It’s always great to see the team-mates you played with and some players who I didn’t play with as well.’
The former United and England captain was delighted to be involved and contribute towards a ‘great cause’.
‘The Manchester United Foundation has done a great job. Obviously I’ve been involved with it for a long time and seeing it with the work its done first-hand, it’s great,’ he added.
‘Any time we can give to try and help with that… it’s always great to do that.
‘It’s a great cause and hopefully it helps a lot of young children.’
