Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United star and England international, celebrated his 40th birthday on October 24th, 2025. Rooney is consistently considered one of football’s greatest forward talents. One of the greatest attacking midfielders of all time, he had an indelible influence at his club Manchester United, where he played from 2004-2017 with a one year return in 2018.
Rooney was born in the Liverpool suburb of Croxteth. He was just 18 years old when he made his Manchester United debut on September 28, 2004. Soon after joining the team, he emerged as a leader and playmaker. His game-breaking goal-scoring prowess and positional adaptability on the soccer field was like nothing I’d ever seen. During his spellbinding tenure of the club Rooney became the club’s all-time record goalscorer, netting an astonishing 253 times. This accomplishment earned him the title of Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer until current forward Harry Kane later passed him in 2017.
During his coaching time at Manchester United, Rooney was able to accomplish several awards. He was instrumental in winning the club’s three Premier League titles. Back in 2008, he was instrumental in their UEFA Champions League victory. In addition to these team successes, Rooney’s individual talent did not go unnoticed. He won five Ballon d’Or awards throughout his career, although not all were linked to his performance at Manchester United.
Rooney further proved his flair for the fantastic, netting iconic game-winners and jaw-dropping volleys, completing a hat trick with a more remarkable 2009-2010 season. His leadership qualities shone through when he captained the team from 2014 to 2017, guiding younger players and influencing games with his experience. In 2016, he raised the FA Cup as Manchester United manager, completing an illustrious haul of football’s greatest trophies.
Rooney’s departure from Manchester United in 2017 was followed almost immediately by his signing with Derby County. He then unofficially retired from the game shortly thereafter. Though he concluded his playing days far from Old Trafford, what he accomplished at Manchester United stays unrivaled. Almost a year after his passing, the club and his supporters still recognize his contributions off the field and on-field excellence.
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