WAYNE ROONEY

Wayne Mark Rooney was born on the 24^th of October 1985 in Liverpool. Rooney was brought up in an urban area of eastern Liverpool called Croxteth, with his two brothers. His boyhood team was always Everton and his love for his hometown club was considered to be faded when he wore a T-shirt reading “Once a blue, Always a blue”.  Being a naturally gifted footballer, Rooney made rapid progress through the youth team ranks and at the age of just 16, he made his first team début in August 2002. Rooney had gained national prominence on the 19th of October 2002 when he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League at 16 years old while playing for his evergreen club Everton. His goal was then against the champions Arsenal. It was a last-minute winner goal. At the end of 2002, he won the BBC Sports Young Personality of the Year award.

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He enjoyed a successful first two seasons at Everton, gaining rewards and reputation for being the most promising young talent in English football, attracting interest from other clubs.  By August 2004, Rooney was keen to move on and proceeding his dream further. He requested a transfer, turning down a £50,000 a week contract with Everton. He was bought by Sir Alex Ferguson in a £26 million deal which was a record for the most valuable player under 20 years old. He was given the number eight shirt at Manchester United. Although he was under an intense media spotlight since arriving on the scene in 2002, it was not until his debut match against Fenerbache where he scored a hat-rick causing Manchester United the win. Later on his performances at Euro 2004 had gained him an even more better reputation on the world stage, as he spearheaded the English attack, scoring four goals.

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 On the 22^nd of  August 2009, Wayne Rooney became the 20th Manchester United player to have scored over 100 goals for the club, putting the ball through the net twice in a 5-0 away win at Wigan Athletic. His performance for Manchester United have led many people to say that he is one of the greatest football players in the world and even if not the best player, then definitely the second best next to Lionel Messi of Barcelona. In November of 2011, Wayne Rooney shocked the fans by suggesting he was ready to leave Manchester United and a bigger shock when he was taking into considerations to sign for Manchester City. However in the end, he signed for Manchester United on a new contract making him one of the best paid players in the world and that particular year he won with Manchester United his 4th Premier League winners medal. It was Manchester United’s 19^th Premier League title.

( Source : Google Images )

( Source : Google Images )

At the end of the 2012/13 season, Rooney’s long term manager Sir Alex Ferguson finally retired from the game and left the Theatre of Dreams. Though the pair often had a difficult relationship, it was one of the strongest there was in Manchester United. Ferguson had stood by Rooney through many seasons and frequently expressed his admiration of his brilliant talent and his passion for football. The 2013/14 season under their new manager David Moyes and also the ex-manager of Everton, was a disappointment with Manchester United finishing only in 7^th place. In 2017, Wayne Rooney the confirmed he will be leaving Manchester United for his boyhood club Everton.

Career Statistics

·         Total Appearances – 665. Total Goals – 281

·         Total International Appearances -119 goals 53.

Club Honours

With Manchester United

·         Premier League (5): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012-13

·         FA Cup (2015-16)

·         Football League Cup (3): 2005–06, 2009–10, 2016-17

·         FA Community Shield (3): 2007, 2010, 2011

·         UEFA Champions League (1): 2007–08

·         UEFA Europa League: 2016–17

·         FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008

Individual Awards

·         PFA Players’ Player of the Year (1): 2009–10

·         PFA Young Player of the Year (2): 2004–05, 2005–06

·         PFA Fans’ Player of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10

·         PFA Premier League Team of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10

·         FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009–10

Records

·         All time top goalscorer for Manchester United (250 goals)

·         All time top goalscorer for England (53 goals)

( Source : Google Images )