On Friday, January 15, Wayne Rooney called time on his professional career of 19 years to switch to management at English Championship side Derby County. Aged 35, he has made quite a series of exploits that puts indelible marks on the history of Manchester United, and indeed English football.
He had previously held down a coaching role at Derby on a part-time basis as he was initially signed as a player-coach, with his last appearance coming in the Rams’ Championship 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough last November. It was after that game that he took the Derby coaching job on interim basis before he was confirmed as permanent manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract last Friday.
Rooney started his career at Everton. Just 16 years of age, he played over 30 games for the Toffees in his debut season, and from thence enjoyed remarkable progress which earned him attention from far and wide. But the super talented teenager would opt for a move to Manchester United. Over the course of his 13-year spell at the Old Trafford, Rooney broke and set numerous records just as he also won a host of trophies including five Premier League and a Champions League silverware.
He returned to boyhood club Everton for a year just right after, then followed a move to the MLS with DC United before he came back to England in 2019 to join Derby.
With England, Wazza – as he’s fondly called – has likewise set a legacy difficult to match. You really can’t fault him for the Three Lions’ drought of trophies since the turn of the century as he has delivered in crucial and delicate moments for the team.
Let’s take a look at seven of his records which he has now taken into retirement.
- Man United record scorer
Rooney tops Manchester United all-time scorers’ chart with 253 goals in 559 games. More fascinating is the fact that he played (and scored in) well less than half of his total appearances at the center forward position.
- England record scorer
The Croxteth-born forward is also England’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in 120 games. He’s scored once at the World Cup, six times at the Euros and a massive 16 of his haul coming in World Cup qualification games.
- England’s yongester goalscorer
Rooney was aged just 17 years, three months and 19 days old when he made his debut for England in a game against Australia in February 2003 – he was their youngest debutant up till the time Theo Walcott eclipsed his record. In the September of same year, he opened his goal account for the Three Lions aged 17 years and 317 days.
- Most England caps for an outfield player
Legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125 caps) is the only player aside Rooney to have made 120+ appearances for England. With him placed just second behind the great shot-stopper on the country’s all-time record apps list, the forward is obviously the outfield player with the most caps (120) for the Three Lions.
- Only Premier League player with 200+ goals & 100+ assists
Rooney’s status as a Premier League legend is without doubt as he is the only player to have reached double century in goals while also recording over a 100 assists. His record of 208 goals and 103 assists in 491 Premier League games is quite astonishing!
- Most away goals in the Premier League
Another massive record the forward has in the English topflight is the number of away goals he has scored in the league (94). Alan Shearer (87), Frank Lampard (85), and Andy Cole (83) are the only other player that come considerably close.
- Most appearances on cover of FIFA games
Lastly and on a lighter note, Rooney has made the most cover appearances on EA Sport franchise FIFA game editions. He made seven consecutive appearances between 2006 and 2012, and that, in fact, earned him a Guinness World Record.
Rooney has, without doubt, left a legacy that will endure forever. There’s equally high hopes on how well he will succeed in management. But first, he’s tasked with getting Derby out of the Championship’s relegation zone, and success with that will give way for the big predictions. Speaking of predictions, it is pertinent you do not miss out on the juicy odds available for football betting enthusiasts this season on NetBet Nigeria. Go test out your skills!
