Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is a former England international widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation. After bursting onto the scene as a teenager with Everton, Rooney joined Manchester United in 2004 and developed into one of the most prolific forwards in English football history. Renowned for his powerful shooting, creativity, work rate and versatility, he enjoyed a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford, becoming the club's all-time leading goalscorer and representing England at three World Cups.

Five Facts

1. Premier League sensation at 16 – Rooney announced himself to English football in October 2002 when he scored a spectacular long-range winner for Everton against Arsenal, ending the Gunners' 30-match unbeaten Premier League run just days before his 17th birthday.
2. Dream Manchester United debut – Rooney joined Manchester United from Everton in August 2004 and scored a remarkable hat-trick on his debut against Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League, helping United secure a 6–2 victory at Old Trafford.
3. Manchester United's greatest goalscorer – Rooney scored 253 goals in 559 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, and 253 goals across all competitions? No — his actual club record stands at 253 goals in 559 appearances in all competitions? Rooney's confirmed Manchester United record is 253 goals in 559 Premier League appearances, with 183 Premier League goals. He surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time club record in January 2017 with a memorable free-kick against Stoke City.
4. Five-time Premier League champion – During his 13 seasons at Manchester United, Rooney won five Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, three League Cups and the UEFA Europa League, establishing himself as one of the club's most decorated players.
5. England's former record goalscorer – Rooney scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England, becoming the national team's all-time leading goalscorer in 2015. He held the record until Harry Kane surpassed his total in March 2023.