Manchester United Old Trafford
Image Credits: Getty Images
Over the years, Old Trafford has been graced with some truly incredible strikers taking to the pitch for Manchester United.
When looking at some of the top talent United have fielded over the course of the Premier League era, players like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Andy Cole, Dwight York, Dimitar Berbatov and Robin van Persie all come to mind.
However, one man to surpass them all is United and England legend Wayne Rooney.
With 253 goals for The Red Devils, Rooney is the club’s top goalscorer, having scored eight more than Sir Bobby Charlton and 108 more than the top scoring player who’s still active, non-other than Cristiano Ronaldo in 11th place.
Tonight, Rooney added to his Old Trafford, taking on the player-manager role for England as they took on the World XI in SoccerAid 2025 at the Theatre of Dreams.
Rooney instantly got the game up and running, putting England ahead inside the fourth minute, recording the fastest goal in SoccerAid history.
Admittedly it wasn’t his finest Old Trafford goal, slipping as he struck at an open goal, with the ball rolling home, but a goal is still a goal.
However, the true masterclass in the game came from his former teammate Carlos Tevez as the striker rolled back the years for the World XI.
England went into half-time 2-0 up thanks to a second goal from Toni Duggan, supported by ex-United midfielder Michael Carrick.
The England side failed to let up after the second half kicked off, testing former Westlife member Nicky Byrne in goal for the World XI, with Jermaine Defoe finally grabbing his first of the night in the 54th minute.
However, Tevez had enough and and took matters into his own hands, going on to score four goals, the most in one game for any SoccerAid player, now ranking in second only behind joint top Jermaine Defoe and former Love Island star Kem Centinay with five.
His first came a minute after Defoe’s, and in the 55th minute from a cheeky through pass from former Tottenham Hotspur star Robbie Keane, only needing 97 seconds to add another.
Picking up the ball near the halfway line, Tevez ran through three England players before cooling converting.
While Defoe went on to grab a brace in the 64th with some impressive touch and go football between him and former winger Aaron Lennon.
However, Tevez hit back in the 68th minute to grab his hattrick with a cross goal freekick, beating actor and TV Host Paddy McGuiness in goal for England.
He wasn’t done there though, as the former Argentina international took up the ball in the 72nd minute, running through the England defence once more, slotting it around McGuiness once again.
Despite Tevez’ masterclass in front of goal, bringing the World XI from behind, the game was sealed by musician and TV personality Big Zuu as he slotted home on the near post in the 83rd minute.
With the score at 5-4 at the final whistle, the World XI were crowned victorious for the eighth time, currently leading the England side who’ve won on six occasions.
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