September 28 - Rooney’s Reds Debut

BEFORE the unexpected result away to Croatia earlier this month, the last time England really produced any exciting matches was way back in Euro 2004. The main reason for the Three Lions swagger in Portugal in that tournament was largely down to Wayne Rooney.

Young Wayne was just 18 at the time and played without fear, scoring four times as England reached the quarter-finals, before he limped out of the game, England’s chances of winning the tournament going with him. England, of course, went on to loose the match on penalties to the hosts Portugal.

Suddenly he was the hottest property in European football and Sir Alex Ferguson decided to whip out his cheque book and make Rooney his latest big-money signing, with Everton receiving £27m for their starlet.

The injury he picked up in England’s match against the Portuguese meant Wayne missed the start of the season and it was on this day in 2004 that he made his much-anticipated United debut.

After his match-winning exploits in an early Everton appearance, and his headline grabbing performances in an England shirt, much was expected of the young scouser.

He did not disappoint. United were taking on Fenerbahce in a Champions League match at Old Trafford. It was an old United face that opened the scoring when Ryan Giggs headed in their first from a cross from forgotten Brazilian Kleberson.

Then Rooney got started. He first scored from the edge of the area after receiving a pass from Ruud van Nistelrooy, and he followed this up by hammering an unstoppable shot into the right hand corner.

Marcio Nobre pulled one back for the visitors from a corner before Rooney completed his hat-trick with a curling free kick that beat Rustu Recber.

It was his first hat-trick in senior football and the Old Trafford crowd were already drooling over their new hero. Sanli Tuncay scored another for the Turkish side but van Nistelrooy and David Bellion completed the scoring to end the match 6-2.

His dream debut had Ferguson purring: “It is a great start for him. That’s why we signed him as he’s got great potential. I think he can only get stronger.”

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said: “Wayne’s debut was fantastic. To get a hat-trick is unbelievable, fairytale stuff. I do not think he knows what pressure is.”

Even George Best was convinced. He said: “You look at that performance and you have to say that’s as good as anything you’ve ever seen. He’s got everything going for him, he’s looking the complete player at 18 years of age. You go through all the greats at Manchester United and you’ve certainly got to put him in there.”

Since then Wayne has won the League twice, the League Cup and the European Cup, but he has been overshadowed as United’s brightest young player by a certain Portuguese winger.

That’s a wrap for today folks but come back tomorrow if you want to banish your Monday blues for five minutes. See Wayne’s debut goals below, and have a look at what else happened on this day right here.

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