#1 vs. Manchester City, 12th February 2011
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#1 wasn’t really a contest when you think about it. Not only was this goal one of the greatest – if not the greatest – in Premier League history, but it also came at a pivotal time for United, chasing their 12th Premier League title, and it effectively put their local rivals Man City out of the title race for good.
The game was on a knife-edge after David Silva’s 65th-minute goal cancelled out United’s first-half opener from Nani, but it was won by a moment of brilliance from Rooney. A Nani cross from the right was fired high into the box, and as it dropped towards the Englishman, he readjusted his position and leapt into the air, delivering an acrobatic overhead kick that flew past Joe Hart and into the top right-hand corner of the net.
Detractors would point to the fact that technically speaking, the ball came off Rooney’s shin rather than his boot, but that’s like picking fault with part of the shading in the background of the Mona Lisa, or claiming that the instrumental tracks on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? are a bit pointless – you’re wasting your time pointing out small flaws in perfection, basically.
This goal was worthy of winning any game of football and was certainly worthy of shooting United back to the top of the Premier League, where they eventually claimed that historic twelfth title. It was Rooney’s greatest moment in a United shirt and it still makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Truly amazing stuff.
