When a fresh, young, talented striker named Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene in 2002, his name was all over the back pages. England had found a new star, a boy with so much potential. He was even touted as England's saviour.
It was his fantastic strike against reigning Premier League champions Arsenal that first brought him to the country's attention, beating David Seaman from 25-yards out.
More impressive performances followed, and such was his potential that he was compared to the great Brazilian striker Ronaldo.
It wasn't long before he found himself in an England shirt, becoming the youngest player in history to do so in the process.
His talent kept blossoming and in 2004, after impressing for England in Euro 2004 before getting injured, he signed for Manchester United for £30m, making him the most expensive teenager in history.
On his United debut against Fenerbache, he scored a magnificent hat-trick.
But in recent years, his performances haven't really surpassed that level. Until now.
His performances for Manchester United and England so far this season have been the type of stuff we used to see from him.
One of the problems he had was a lack of goals, but now he just can't stop scoring! His two goals for England tonight were the latest in a line of great performances tinged with goals.
He has stepped up a level recently, despite being at a high level beforehand. But is he now one step closer to becoming a truly world class striker who will be remembered for years to come?
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about 1 month ago
It has been puzzling for a lot of fans why Wayne had not progressed as much has we had hoped for but I think it could be for a few reasons. He burst onto the world scene at such a young age and as usual the media were proclaiming him the savior of English football, surely to much to expect being so young, it did not help with injury set backs too, I think people forget that to reach optimum performance after suffering bad injuries takes time and this season he has started injury free so i think this has contributed to his fantastic form. Ronaldo's phenomenal season and rise to "world's best" over the last 18 months put ever one else in the shade so Rooney's progress over that time would have been over shadowed, but considering his injury, Rooney did have a good season with a impressive goal ratio. Footballers mature at different ages and with Ronaldo it has been "explosive" if Rooney can stay injury free we will see his potential come to fruition, it helps that he is not only playing for one great club manager but also a great England manager which can only aid his progress, I believe we have not seen the best of Rooney and at 22 there is more to come.
about 1 month ago
Well I wish I could forget his Man.Utd. debut which he scored a hattrick. Such a forgettable memory for me...
about 1 month ago
It's way too early to judge, he's just hit a bit of form let's not jump the gun!
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