Wayne Rooney Jokes His Goal Was Better Than David Beckham's Famous Strike

Wayne Rooney quipped that his stunning strike in Manchester United's win over West Ham United was better than David Beckham’s famous goal against Wimbledon in 1996.

With Beckham in the crowd at Upton Park to take in United’s 2-0 win, Rooney put forward his contender for Goal of the Season with a stunning long-range effort.

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.@WayneRooney: MotM vs West Ham, Rating, 8.2, Goals 2, Shots 6, Clearances 2 http://t.co/EstQcObla7 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/bmKT6aXpkO

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 22, 2014"

After spinning away from his marker on the halfway line, Rooney spotted the West Ham keeper off his line and took aim. The contact was clean and crisp and bounced a yard before the line before flying into the roof of the net.

Memories of Beckham’s stunning goal for United in 1996 were evoked, and when asked by Sky Sports  if it was better than the former England captain’s strike, Rooney said, “Of course, yeah!”

Going into greater detail on the goal, Rooney said:

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It is instinct. I have turned him, had a quick look and seen the goalkeeper off his line.

It is one of them and I have tried many times and I am delighted it has gone in.

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Rooney has netted some memorable goals in his career, including an overhead kick against Manchester City and long-range volley versus Newcastle United, and he admitted this strike was on a par with those efforts.

"It is up there," Rooney said. "I would not say it is my favourite.

"All those goals you have mentioned, you try in training and games and not often they come off. So when they do it is great, and it put the team in a great position."