Manchester United's Top 10 Premier League Goals of the 2000s

Goals win games, and thankfully, Manchester United have scored quite a few of them in the Premier League era. Here, we run through United's top 10 Premier League goals in the 2000s.

Since the turn of the millennium, and up to the present day, United have continued to set the pace domestically. I shall count down the best individual and team efforts during that period in this top 10.

How does a goal make the top 10?

Well, it's simple really. It has to be a goal that showcases individual or team brilliance, but it can also be one that carries sentimental value or added importance due to the circumstances of the game. For instance, Michael Owen's winner in the derby in 2009 fits the bill, despite the fact that it didn't make the top 10.

So, without further ado, let's go through some of United's finest goals...

Honourable Mentions

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Nani's strike vs. Middlesbrough just missed out.

Of course, there are many, many goals worthy of consideration for a spot in the top 10. Here, I take a look at those goals that fell just short of the mark. Be sure to let me know some of your favourites in the comments:


Nani vs. Middlesbrough, 2007

Out on the left, Nani beat a couple of defenders before cutting inside onto his favoured right foot. What followed can only be described as a thunderbolt. Watch it here.


Dimitar Berbatov vs. Liverpool, 2010

The Bulgarian's hat-trick secured a win for the Red Devils over their bitter rivals, Liverpool. His second goal was a marvellous overhead kick that combined finesse and poise in equal measures. Watch it here.


Federico Macheda vs. Aston Villa, 2009

The 17-year-old's touch and finish was befitting of any top-level game of football. The youngster's moment of magic ensured that it was a debut to remember as United went back to the top of the table. Watch it here.


David Beckham vs. Manchester City, 2000

Beckham scored plenty of free-kicks during his career, and some were better than this effort against Man City. They didn't come in the Premier League, however. Watch one of his best trademark strikes here. 

10. Ryan Giggs vs. West Ham United, 2009

In a game where United failed to play their best football, Giggs came up with the goods to secure all three points for United at West Ham. 

His feigning run and the curled finish that followed was the standout moment of the game and ensured that United returned to the top of the table. In a team that boasted the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov, it was left to Giggs to provide a wonderfully crafted goal worthy of winning any game.

In fact, the 38 seconds in the video clip above highlights everything that is good about Giggs' game. 

His ability to beat a defender is unrivalled in Premier League history, and that was very much on show with this goal. It was a remarkable effort from a player who continues to shine for United.

9. Dimitar Berbatov vs. Blackburn Rovers, 2010

United's ability to hit teams on the counterattack is renowned, particularly in the Premier League. Berbatov's hat-trick goal against Blackburn in 2010 demonstrated that ability to perfection. 

Starting in United's own half, a combination of touches between Berbatov and Patrice Evra culminated in an angled pass from the Bulgarian out to Nani. The Portugese then beat a few defenders before finding Berbatov in the box to guide a finish beyond Paul Robinson in the Blackburn net.

It was a devastating break from United.

It was also a game in which Berbatov became only the fourth player—at the time—to score five goals in a Premier League game. The Bulgarian scored plenty of good goals in his time at United, but perhaps this one was his best.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Fulham, 2007

Ronaldo can score any and every type of goal imaginable. Against Fulham, his stunning solo run and finish proved to be enough to seal all three points for United. It was a significant goal, too, as United moved further clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Just look at the celebrations to see how important a goal it was.

Dodgy music aside, it's a video clip that sums up how good a player Ronaldo was for United. Bursting past players with his raw speed and finishing with a driven finish was a weekly occurrence during his spell at Old Trafford. 

And it's something he's continued to do since joining Real Madrid. Sometimes it's difficult to comprehend just how good of a player he is.

7. Ruud Van Nistelrooy vs. Fulham, 2003

For a player who made his name poaching goals inside the penalty area, this virtuoso effort from van Nistelrooy was his standout goal in the red of United. 

You would be forgiven for losing count of the number of players he beat en route to the Fulham goal in what was a mesmerising run. It was his second of three goals on the day, as his hat-trick sent United top of the Premier League for the first time that season. 

It really was a superb goal from a striker who will go down as one of United's best-ever strikers in the Premier League era. Having said that, he's not the highest-ranked Dutchman in this top 10...

6. Wayne Rooney vs. Newcastle, 2005

Rooney's volley against Newcastle was a goal of the highest calibre; make no mistake about it. 

It moved so much in the air that goalkeeper Shay Given had no chance in the Newcastle goal. In fact, he couldn't get anywhere near it. Just look at Rooney's technique at the 13-second mark as he smashes the ball into the top left-hand corner. 

It's one of those goals that you will never grow tired of seeing. 

There was no teamwork involved in this goal; it was just a magnificent piece of individual skill. Rooney can score a goal from just about anywhere on the pitch, and there's no doubt that this was one of his best.

5. Paul Scholes vs. Aston Villa, 2006

Perfection. 

That's the only word to describe Scholes' magnificent volley against Aston Villa. Fully 25 yards out, he crashed a volley in off the underside of the crossbar to the astonishment of every fan and player alike inside Villa Park. It was a breathtaking strike from Scholes, who made a habit of scoring goals of that ilk.

That's why it's not surprising that he scored it.

You can never question Scholes' technical ability, and with this goal, he rubber-stamped his name as one of the Premier League's finest proponents of a volleyed goal.

That being said, he scored another pretty good goal in the Premier League... 

4. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Portsmouth, 2008

As free-kicks go, this one from Ronaldo is just about as good as it gets.

It arrowed into the top corner and gave goalkeeper David James absolutely no chance of saving it whatsoever. It was also a goal that ensured United returned to the top of the table that day, too.

It's difficult to really describe how good a goal it was, so just enjoy the 71-second video clip above.

Swerving, dipping and with ferocious pace, it proved unstoppable. Ronaldo scored plenty of free-kicks during his time at United, but that one was probably the best of the lot. He couldn't put it more into the top corner if he tried.

Sadly, United fans didn't get to see too many goals from Ronaldo after that one. We must be thankful, however, for being able to see one of football's best players ever grace the Old Trafford stage.

3. Paul Scholes vs. Bradford City, 2000

It wouldn't be a top 10 goals list without a couple of Scholes' goals, would it?

The Ginger Prince's volley against Bradford was arguably his finest strike in a United shirt, in what is his second goal in the top 10. Meeting David Beckham's corner, he rocketed a volley through the bodies and into the bottom right-hand corner. 

It's a goal that sums up Scholes in a nutshell. 

Once you've watched his goal from all angles, be sure to pick your jaw off the ground. There are very few players in world football who could score a goal like that, and Scholes was one of the best at it. 

2. Robin Van Persie vs. Aston Villa, 2013

This goal fits the criteria in all sorts of ways. It had everything. 

The pass from Rooney met van Persie's arching run superbly, and the volley was thumped beyond Brad Guzan in the Aston Villa goal so clinically. But it was a goal that carried added weight. Van Persie's hat-trick that day secured Sir Alex Ferguson's final piece of silverware during his reign, and how fitting a goal it was too.

Arsenal fans saw van Persie score similar goals before he left for Old Trafford, and United fans were lucky enough to witness arguably his best goal ever. It's often described as the most difficult technique to master in football, and the Dutchman made it look effortless. 

It really was a stroke of genius. 

Hopefully, it's not the last extraordinary goal we will come to see from van Persie during his time at United. Having said that, he will really have to go some way to bettering his volley against Aston Villa.

1. Wayne Rooney vs. Manchester City, 2011

It couldn't be any other goal really, could it?

Quite simply, it was a majestic goal from Rooney and one that gave United the bragging rights in Manchester on that special day. It also carried some added importance, though, as it extended United's lead at the top of the table and all but ended Manchester City's challenge for that season.

The 36 seconds in that video clip capture Rooney's goal from just about every single angle, and yet, the video still doesn't quite do the goal justice. 

It was one of those moments that will never be forgotten among United fans. The build-up play was nice, and the cross was slightly deflected, but the overhead kick was sensational. It sent United fans into raptures up and down the country.

Sometimes goals are overhyped, but not in this case. This was a special strike and would probably top the list of all-time Premier League goals.

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