Wayne Rooney's five greatest performances for Manchester United

5. vs Hull City, Premier League (2010/11)

Considering the amount of goals, he has scored for Manchester United, it is somewhat surprising that he hadn’t manage to score more than three goals in a game. And it wasn’t until the game against Hull on 23 January 2010, that Rooney managed to get rid of that little blemish.

He scored all four goals in Manchester United’s 4–0 win over Hull City, leaving the Tigers defense chasing shadows for most of the evening. Although three of the goals came in the last 10 minutes of the match, he was without a doubt, the star of the game and ran the show. It was one of the rare occasions in which his complete repertoire of finishing skills was on display as he tore the Tigers apart and for the first and so far, only time in his career, bagged four in one match.

4. vs Bolton, Premier League (2006/07)

At the start of the 2006–07 season, Rooney was going through a barren run, in terms of goals, and as a result, some of his overall play also was hampered. Things weren’t looking too bright for the Englishman, at least not until the game against Bolton Wanderers, which changed all of that.

Rooney ended a ten-game scoreless streak with a hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers and that sparked a turnaround in his game, as he ended the season with 14 League goals and with a winner’s medal around his neck. The game against Bolton was the perfect tonic as it provided the Englishman with some much needed confidence that held him in good stead for the rest of the campaign.

3. vs Tottenham, Premier League (2008/09)

When United were 2-0 going into half-time at Old Trafford on 25 April 2009 against Tottenham, things looked dead and buried. But Rooney sparked a second-half comeback that saw his side win the game 5-2. It was the sort of performance that came to exemplify his time at United, towards the end of the decade.

Although Rooney scored two goals, those were his final league goals of the season. But more than the goals, it was his overall performance that stood out. As he provided the assist that led to the penalty, which started the comeback and he also had a hand in the other two goals, and was one of his finest performances in a red shirt.

2. vs Arsenal, Premier League (2011/12)

At the start of the 2011/12, a severely depleted Arsenal were ruthlessly dismantled by a rampant Rooney, who bagged his sixth hat-trick of his United career. In the process, he also handed Arsenal, their heaviest defeat since 1896. In the process, he also notched up his 150th goal for United and walked away with the man of the match award.

It was no doubt that the Englishman deserved it, as his hat-trick, comprised of two free kicks, a penalty. But it was not just his goals, but his link-up play with the rest of the attack that was a joy to behold. Not content with just the goals, he also managed to contribute an assist for Nani and cap off a sublime performance.

1. vs Fenerbahce, Champions League (2004/05)

There were more than a few eyebrows raised when, Manchester United broke the bank to sign a 18-year-old English striker from Everton, breaking the British transfer record for a teenager. Although his talent was evident, the amount of money spent was questionable, especially for a teenager. But, the English teenage sensation showed that he was worth every penny by netting a hat-trick in his debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League group stages, as United emerged 6-2 winners.

It was only his debut, but, it was arguably his finest United performance till date, that showcased everything that has made him a superstar today. If his goal against Arsenal for Everton attracted a few curious eyes, his performance against the Turkish side, put Rooney on the map and ensured that he had the best possible debut that one could ever hope for.

Because, that was the day when the entire world knew that Wayne Rooney had arrived and Sir Alex Ferguson had a bargain on his hands.