Wayne Rooney

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

After emerging as one of England's top young talents at Everton, Rooney joined Manchester United in 2004 for £25.6 million. He was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in his debut season before being voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Year in 2005–06 at 20 years old. He was a key figure as United won three consecutive Premier League titles from 2006–07 to 2008–09 and reached three Champions League finals in 2008, 2009, and 2011, winning the 2008 title. Rooney also scored the winning goal in the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup final and was awarded the Golden Ball. After having his most prolific season to that point in 2009–10, he won the PFA Players' Player of the Year. Rooney helped United reclaim the Premier League title in 2010–11 and won his fifth and final league title in 2012–13. In total, Rooney won 16 trophies with United and became one of only two English players, alongside teammate Michael Carrick, to win the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, League Cup, UEFA Europa League, and FIFA Club World Cup.

In Their Own Story

Rooney made his senior debut for Everton on 17 August 2002 in a 2–2 home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, starting the match and assisting the first goal by Mark Pembridge. He became the second-youngest first-team player in Everton history behind Joe Royle. On 19 October, five days before his 17th birthday, Rooney scored a last-minute winning goal against Arsenal. The goal ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run, and also made Rooney the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history. He made his Manchester United debut on 28 September 2004 in a 6–2 home win over Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League, scoring a hat-trick and laying on an assist. His first season with Manchester United ended without winning a trophy, but his second goal in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough on 29 January 2005, a volley hit with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the 18-yard box, was named BBC Goal of the Season. Rooney was United's top league scorer that season with 11 goals, and was credited with the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Reader's Guide

Rooney's virtual career mirrors his real-world journey from a teenage prodigy at Everton to a Manchester United legend. In Career Mode, you can start his journey at Everton in the 2002-03 season, where he scored eight goals in 37 appearances in all competitions. His first senior goals came on 2 October 2002 when he scored twice in a 3–0 away win over Wrexham in the second round of the League Cup. These goals meant that Rooney was Everton's youngest-ever goalscorer at the time. After his transfer to Manchester United in 2004, his attributes reflect his real-world development: he was named the FIFPro Young Player of the Year in 2004–05, selected in the ESM Team of the Season for 2009–10, and included in the 2011 FIFA FIFPro World XI. His February 2011 bicycle kick against city rivals Manchester City won the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards Best Goal award. In 2025, Goal named him one of the best players never to have won the Ballon d'Or; his highest finish was 5th place in 2011. For Ultimate Team, his Icon cards capture his prime years, offering a forward who combines finishing with playmaking—he remains the only player to have recorded both 200 goals and 100 assists in the Premier League.

Did You Know?

• Rooney is Manchester United's top goalscorer of all time with 253 goals.
• He is the only player to have recorded both 200 goals and 100 assists in the Premier League.
• Rooney made his senior international debut for England in February 2003, aged 17, and is England's youngest-ever goalscorer.
• He scored a hat-trick on his Manchester United debut in a 6–2 home win over Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League.
• Rooney's February 2011 bicycle kick against Manchester City won the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards Best Goal award.