The ball deflected off the defender directly in front of the Ecuadorian and seemed almost destined for Rooney. Without that slight deflection, the opportunity for the spectacle would have disappeared.
Fortunately, Rooney had anticipated a cross that would lead him towards the goal and the ball was drifting behind him. Yet, as the ball floated through the air, it was as if time stood still and everyone froze — in the stands, on the pitch — practically granting Rooney center stage. And in one flash, and with one stroke of pure athletic ingenuity, the ball flew past Joe Hart and fans, and maybe even Rooney himself were left mesmerized and in a triumphant frenzy. Rooney had perfectly contorted his body by throwing himself into the air and kicked the ball back over his head straight into the net — a display that outdid the game itself.
Order had been restored. The Reds were back on top in Manchester. Rooney had other ideas. Showing incredible athleticism, he turned, arced his back and jumped high into the air. It's been suggested by many it came off Rooney's shin but the contact was clean enough to send the ball beyond Hart, who barely moved. Sir Alex Ferguson applauds the United fans as he walks out to take his seat in the dug-out.
A few months later, Ferguson would have his hands on the Premier League trophy once again. I had my eye on the cross, my neck muscles were tense and everything was set. Next thing he's up off the ground, his feet are in the air and he makes sublime contact. The ball flies into the net, United win the derby. Vincent Kompany had the next-closest view. Then he pulls the overhead kick and I'm thinking: 'Oh, come on!
That goal at that moment in that place instantly restored the eroded bonds of trust and affection between Rooney and the United fans after his contract dispute and a relatively poor season. With a cheeky grin, Rooney claimed he hadn't scored a better goal since ones in the playground at De La Salle School in Liverpool. The fans deserve that from me because I've not had the best of seasons.
Rooney described his overhead kick as one of the finest of his illustrious playing career. Ferguson, United's manager for 15 years at that point, had seen some memorable goals at Old Trafford but that seemed to rank above them all in his mind.
We've had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution, you'll never see that. The true significance of the goal would only later emerge. It kept United clear of the chasing pack and they stayed top despite losing to both Chelsea and Liverpool. A draw at Blackburn Rovers on May 14 secured the title - United's fourth in five seasons and the penultimate one of the Ferguson era. United's players celebrate with the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.
Rooney's strike partner Berbatov summed up the magnitude of the moment well. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Argos AO. Privacy Policy Feedback. Sir Alex Ferguson called it the 'greatest goal' he's ever seen and Micah Richards is still 'baffled' about how he did it Share this article Share. Share or comment on this article: Wayne Rooney's stunning Manchester United overhead kick against Man City 10 years on e-mail. Comments Share what you think. View all. Bing Site Web Enter search term: Search. Feedly More RSS feeds Lost all respect!
Friday 12 November. I wasn't having the best game, and thankfully it's gone into the top corner. Asked if it was his most important goal, Rooney said: "I think so. We went on to win the league that year and it was a big game for us. Rooney also revealed that City goalkeeper Joe Hart still believes the effort came off his shin, but the United man insists that's an even harder skill.
I always say to him it's a harder skill to score off your shin than your foot!
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