The Manchester United team on Wayne Rooney's debut: Where are they now?

Forwards

Centre Forward – Ruud van Nistelrooy (scored the fifth goal that night)

Then: The undisputed number one man at United, having arrived there from PSV Eindhoven (where he scored 75 goals in 91 games), Rutgerus Johannes Martinus van Nistelrooy (Ruud, for you and me) formed a brilliant (and strangely underrated) strike partnership with the young man right from the off (He assisted Rooney for his first ever United goal with a sublime through ball). Left United (after 219 games and 150 goals) for Real Madrid after a massive clash of egos with Ferguson and played rather well for them scoring 64 goals in 96 games. His career then tailed off with stints at Hamburger SV and Malaga. Oh, and he’s got 35 goals in just 70 games for the Netherlands.

Now: After joining PSV as a coaching intern in 2013, working with the under-17s. he tried his hand at being a TV analyst. After the 2014 WC, he joined as assistant to Guus Hiddink in 2014, before becoming PSV's attacking coach for their youth teams. He then moved on to become the first team’s attacking coach this season. No wonder they scored 88 goals in 34 games this time around, eh?

Quirky Quote: Actually, nothing quirky about it... it’s actually rather nice: “He’s a phenomenal talent and the prospect of him pulling on a United shirt is frightening. I don’t know many clubs that wouldn’t want him in their side as he’s an incredible player. And, if he does become available, Manchester United should do everything in their power to sign him. It certainly excites me to think he could be playing at United next season.” – RvN on the possibility of United signing Wayne Rooney

---

Centre Forward – Wayne Rooney

Then: A pudgy, fresh-faced lad who’d just made a fairytale move to United from Everton and decided to announce himself to Old Trafford the only way he knew how.... spectacularly.

Now: A tough, grizzled veteran - who lived up to every bit of hype that first hattrick delivered (and then some) - who’s just made a fairytale move from United to Everton. For those who spent their time following every kick of his 13-year Manchester United career... how time flies, eh?

Quirky Video: He has scored better goals, more important goals, goals against far superior opponents... but none epitomised the man quite like this –