Rooney lights the torch once again

CAIRO – 19 August 2017: England’s legendary striker Wayne Rooney returned for his debut with Everton FC in 2017/2018 English Premier League season.

Rooney, who is considered to be one of England’s legendary strikers, started his professional career at Everton FC.His senior debut was against Tottenham Hotspur’s on August 17 2002 in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw. Rooney failed to score in his debut; however, on October 2 he became the youngest player ever to score a goal for Everton FC after scoring in Everton’s 3-0 victory against Wrexham in the League Cup.

The youngster continued to hit the ground running after becoming the Premier League youngest goal scorer with his goal against Arsenal just five days from his 17th birthday. This goal was significant in terms of ending Arsenal’s unbeaten record.

Rooney continued to flourish with Everton FC grabbing the eye of Manchester United’s manager Sir Alex Ferguson who admired the talent of the youngster. With the start of the 2004 Premier League season, Rooney joined Manchester United where he saw years of success at the Red Devils (Manchester United).

Rooney aged 18 years and 355 days did not wait long to score goals at Manchester United.In his first game for the club Rooney scored a hat-rick, contributing in 6-2 victory against the Turkish team Fenerabache. Manchester United’s new number 8 became the youngest player in the history of the Champions League to score a hat trick in the tournament.

Rooney had a successful first season at United. Scoring 11 goals with Manchester United in the first year at the club, Rooney won the PFA Young player of the year award.

Rooney’s third season at the club did not go as expected. United’s youngster encountered a rough start where he failed to score in 10 consecutive games. Rooney managed to break this goalless streak by scoring a hat trick against Bolton FC. By the end of the Premier League season, the Golden Boy (Rooney) scored 14 goals and lifted the trophy for the first time in his career.

By the start of the 2007/2008 season Rooney changed his number from number 8 to wear his beloved number 10 shirt. This season saw Rooney score 18 goals even though he missed a total of 10 games. United continued snatching trophies, winning the Premier League and the Champions League titles.

The following seasons Rooney hit the ground running, winning the Premier League five times, the Football League Cup three times, the FA Community Shield four times, the Champions League and Club World Cup and the Europa League.

During his time at United, England’s veteran forward became United’s all time top score. He also became the all-time top scorer for England’s national team.

Rooney continued seeing an excellent career with United until Sir Alex Fergusonleft the club after announcing his retirement. United’s striker saw a rough time under the managers that succeeded Ferguson.

Everton’s former manager David Moyes replaced Ferguson at United for one season. During this season United was knocked out of the Champions League and missed a Champions League spot the next season. Moyes came out of this season with only winning the Community Shield trophy.

Luis van Gaal replaced David Moyes the following season and Rooney’s position changed with him. Rooney turned from a striker to a midfielder which made Rooney lose his effectiveness. United came in fourth place and Rooney’s performance dropped. The following season United came in fifth place and were knocked out of the Champions League.
With the start of the 2016/2017 season,Jose Mourinho came with promise to bring Rooney back to his previous level. However, the Portuguese manager soon dropped Rooney out of the squad due to Rooney’s slow improvement and United’s poor results. The only thing that remained from the old Rooney was his name and the love and support of United fans.

On the beginning of the 2017 summer transfer window Rooney decided to look for a new journey by going back to his boyhood club Everton FC.

Rooney went back to Everton to light the torch that darkened in the last few years at United. The youngster who scored his last goal for Everton FC against Leeds on April 13, 2004 came back to where the story began to score his first goal with Everton following his return to the club in his debut against Stoke City at Everton’s stadium Goodison Park on August 12, 2017.