Wayne Rooney represents Manchester United and England with the same pride as his predecessors

Manchester United is a phenomenally successful football club both on and off the pitch, continuing to win trophies and attract fans from different countries all over the world. In Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, the Premier League giants will provide two vitally important players for England’s World Cup campaign in South Africa.

Wayne Rooney has been in great form this season, scoring 34 times in 44 appearances for Manchester United. Before he sustained an unfortunate ankle injury towards the end of the season, Rooney was in the running to surpass former Man Utd player Cristiano Ronaldo’s total of 42 goals in all competitions. In April, Rooney was voted PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

Rooney’s huge natural ability, industry and enthusiasm for the game make him a firm favourite of both Manchester United and England fans. His hardworking approach and the effort he consistently puts in on the training ground have seen Rooney deliver a run of seven consecutive headed goals this season – a prolific return for a player not previously renowned as a threat in the air. Allied with his lethal shot it seems Rooney will prove a threat to any opposition defence in South Africa.


When he came on as a substitute in an international friendly against Australia aged 17 years and 111 days, Rooney became the youngest ever player to represent his country. Even though this record has since been taken by Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, Rooney’s record at international level has established him as one of the key members in Fabio Capello’s England squad. Since making his debut, Rooney has scored 25 times in 58 appearances for his country.

With such an impressive international record to his name at the age of just 24, Rooney is on course to join Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton in an elite group of players with over 100 caps for England. The World Cup winning midfielder is England’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 49 goals in 106 appearances. Charlton’s remarkable ability to strike the ball cleanly from distance has led to some fans drawing parallels with Manchester United’s current number ten.


In South Africa England will try to emulate Charlton’s World Cup winning success, and in Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, Manchester United players will again provide a major contribution to England’s efforts.