Staff : First Team : Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is a player in a hurry. He burst onto the Old Trafford stage in September 2004, just as he had burst into the Premiership with Everton, and has become arguably United’s most important player.

Much was expected of the England’s 18-year-old hero of Euro 2004 when he swapped Everton, his boyhood club, for the Reds in August of that year. Yet becoming the world’s most expensive teenager - £20m rising to a possible £30m – did little to phase him.

In his very first game at Old Trafford he produced a stunning display, putting behind him the frustrations of a metatarsal injury, to blast an unforgettable debut hat-trick past a shell-shocked Fenerbahce.

It was a fairytale start to his United career and very much a sign of what was to follow. By the end of the 2004/05 campaign he’d amassed 17 goals in 43 appearances. Sadly he missed out on his first winners medal – United losing on penalties to Arsenal in the FA Cup final – but was rightly named PFA Young Player of the Year.

Rooney’s second season at Old Trafford saw him again take huge strides, justifying his billing as one of the world’s most exciting young talents. He netted the Reds first goal of the season against Debreceni and ended the season with 19 goals in 48 matches. It was a contribution that saw him named both Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year by fans and PFA Young Player of the year (again) by his fellow professionals.

With Sir Alex describing him as “the best young player I have seen in my time” the future of Wayne Rooney seems a bright one indeed.


Position: Striker
Appearances: 137
Goals: 57
Joined United: 31 Aug 2004
Transfer Fee: £30million
Previous Clubs: Everton
United Debut: 28 Sep 2004 v Fenerbahce (H)
International England