On this Day: Wayne Rooney signed for Manchester United

A young Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United on this day in 2004, marking the beginning of a goal and trophy-laden career like no other.

Rooney broke into the scene as a 16-year-old with Everton by scoring a last-minute winner against Arsenal in October 2002, ending the Gunners’ 30-match unbeaten run in the process.

“He is the biggest England talent I’ve seen since I arrived in England,” said then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger after the game.

“There has certainly not been a player under 20 as good as him since I became a manager here.”

Wenger’s assessment back then couldn’t have been more true, as Rooney continued to impress. His performances made him one of Europe’s most sought-after-players.

This became even more prominent following an impressive Euro 2004 campaign with England, where he finished level with Ruud van Nistelrooy as the competition’s second-highest scorer on four goals.

📆 On this day in 2004, 18-year-old Wayne Rooney signed for Manchester United for £27 million. ✍🏻

• 5x Premier League titles
• 3x League Cup
• 1x Champions League
• 1x FA Cup
• 1x Europa League
• 1x FIFA Club World Cup
• 253 goals – United’s all-time top scorer pic.twitter.com/JkaQZbu1pU

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) August 31, 2020

A €37m (£25m) move to Manchester United followed in August 2004, making him the world’s most expensive teenager.

Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted he raised a few eyebrows by asking United to invest such a vast amount on an 18-year-old. But, like on countless occasions, the Scot was bang on target.

Rooney’s Red Devils career got off to a fairytale start by scoring a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in a Champions League clash a month later.

The forward proceeded to help United win 16 major honors, including five Premier League titles, three EFL Cups, and a Champions League.

Rooney even surpassed the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton as the club’s record goalscorer on 253 goals in 559 appearances and became the captain in 2014. He also supplied 146 assists on route before rejoining Everton in 2017.

The 34-year-old is currently preparing for the next phase of his career by taking on a player-coach role at Derby County in January after a spell in the MLS with DC United.

The only player to record 200+ goals and 100+ assists in the Premier League.

Generational talent. Wayne Rooney 👑 #MUFC

— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) August 31, 2020