Lifelong Reds share memories of Wayne Rooney on debut anniversary

SAM CARNEY

I’ve been a Red since the beginning of the Treble-winning season – thanks mum! – but my dad bleeds Everton blue and, with United tickets hard to get at the turn of the Millennium, my football fix often came at Goodison Park, rather than Old Trafford.

The Toffees were a struggling Premier League side until a certain David Moyes took over the hot-seat and, soon after, the Scot gave a 16-year-old Wayne Rooney his debut. ‘Roonaldo’, as he was quickly referred to on Merseyside, following an outstanding goal against reigning champions Arsenal, was Everton’s great hope, having starred in their run to the FA Youth Cup final the season prior.

Although United (and Arsenal) were top dogs at the time, there were few players who could rival Rooney’s pure electricity on the pitch and he immediately made going to watch live football exciting. Despite my allegiances, I was delighted when my nan bought me a blue T-shirt emblazoned with ‘Roonaldo 18’.

I felt privileged to have seen him play live in those early years, before he was capped by England, and really broke through with those sensational performances at Euro 2004.
I don’t have too many vivid memories of the rumours linking him to United, but I can imagine I’d have been fairly excited at the prospect. I do remember where I was when the transfer was announced though.

Mum had taken us on a trip to the United Megastore that day, and there were lots of fans milling around, obviously hoping to find out the latest news, fresh at the forecourt. I think we were driving home when confirmation came through – my first feeling was that £30 million was a hell of a lot of money, but, looking back, it’s probably one of the best-value transfers in football history!

Of course, due to the metatarsal, we had to wait a good month to see Rooney in red, but my god was it worth it when he finally appeared for us against Fenerbahce.