Wayne Rooney's Career in Pictures: From Everton to Manchester United

Wayne Rooney is one of football’s biggest names nowadays, especially now that the Manchester United striker has become England’s highest-paid player. Surely, most football fans—if not every fan—know a bit about Rooney. At least, concerning his former relations with the Everton club, or his recent cheating scandal; or better yet, his new deal with Man Utd.

Anyway, this slideshow is dedicated to all those wanting to know more on the striker. Nonetheless, to make the idea more entertaining, this slideshow is mainly about pictures.

Wayne Rooney Enters in Everton

Wayne Rooney signs a professional contract with Everton (Picture)

Having began his football career at an early age in his hometown Liverpool, Rooney played for the Liverpool Schoolboys. At the age of 10 he was signed in one of Everton's youth academy, where he grew stronger and stronger over the years.

Years after, when he was old enough for a professional contract, Rooney was moved up to Everton's senior side; the team in which he was intended to stay.

First Premier League Goal Against Arsenal

On October 19, 2002, Rooney ended Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run by scoring the match's winning goal for Everton. This goal against the Gunners (who were then the league title holders), made him the youngest goalscorer in the Premier League ever at that time.

BBC Sports' 2002 Young Personality of the Year

Wayne Rooney wins the BBC Sports' 2002 Young Personality of the Year award (Picture)

After his unbelievable achievement against Arsenal in the Premier League, and following his good performance, Rooney went on to receive the BBC Sports' 2002 Young Personality of the Year award.

Rooney: Almost Complete For Everton

Wayne Rooney in Everton: Skillful, determined, relentless (Picture)

Wayne Rooney kept growing as a determined player, getting more and more serious on the field. He showed great pace and skills on the pitch, and this made him become the sweetheart of Everton fans.

Wayne Rooney: From Everton To Man Utd

Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson signs Wayne Rooney (Picture)

At the end of the 2003/04 season, a contract misunderstanding softened the relationship between Rooney and the Everton club. This paved the way for Manchester United to sign him for £25.6 million, leaving the forward to break the hearts of The Toffees.

The Memorable Debut For Man Utd

Wayne Rooney grabs a hat-trick against Fenerbahçe in the Champions League (Picture)

Wayne Rooney debuted for the Red Devils on Sept. 28, in 2004. It was an unforgettable day for him, as he scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahçe in Manchester United's 6-2 victory in the UEFA Champions League.

No Cups in First Season at United

Wayne against Arsenal in the FA Cup final (Picture)

Unfortunately for Rooney, his first season with Manchester United ended without any trophy, as the Red Devils finished third in the Premier League and were kicked out of the Champions League in the Round of 16. They were also unsuccessful in the Carling Cup, and they lacked of true luck against Arsenal in the FA Cup final after losing to the Gunners on penalties.

PFA Young Player of The Year Award

Wazza named as the PFA Young Player of the Year (Picture)

At the end of the 2004/05 season, Rooney was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year honor after scoring 11 goals for Manchester United in the Premier League.

A Red Card Against Villarreal

Rooney gets a red card against Villarreal in the Champions League (Picture)

In September 2005, Wayne Rooney was sent off against Villarreal in the Champions League for teasing the referee despite being already booked for an unintentional foul on an opposing player.

2 Goals in The 2006 Carling Cup Final

Rooney scores a brace against Wigan in the 2006 Carling Cup final (Picture)

In the 2006 League Cup final, Wazza was named Man of the Match following two goals against Wigan Athletic in Manchester United's 4-0 win.

A Red Card Against Porto

Wayne Rooney gets a red card against Porto (Picture)

On Aug. 4, 2006, he got another red card for hitting Porto defender Pepe with an elbow. This incident took place in the offseason Amsterdam Tournament.

Goalless in 10 Games, 3 Goals in 1 Game

Roo gets a hat-trick against Bolton (Picture)

In the first half of the 2006/07 season, Rooney ended a 10-match goal drought by netting a cool hat-trick against Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League.

First Premier League Medal

Manchester United take the 2006/07 Premier League title. Wayne Rooney celebrating with his club (far right on the picture)

At the end of his 2006/07 season, the forward collected his very first Premier League medal, as Manchester United managed to top the standings ahead of Chelsea.

A Runner-Up in The 2007 FA Cup

Wayne in the 2007 FA Cup Final against Chelsea. Man Utd finished 2nd (Picture)

Rooney did not score in the 2007 FA Cup final against Chelsea, and with Man Utd not being able to stop the Blues, he had to be content with a second place medal.

An Injury Against Reading

Wayne Rooney receives an injury against Reading (Picture)

On August 12, 2007, the former Everton starlet damaged his left metatarsal against Reading in Manchester United's goalless draw on the opening day of the Premier League.

Another Premier League Title For Rooney

Manchester United win the Premier League title at the end of the 2007/08 season... (Wayne Rooney at the center of the picture)

Again in his career, he was giving the chance to celebrate another Premier League title with Man Utd; this time, in the 2007/08 season.

Greater Success: The 2008 Champions League Title

Manchester United with the UEFA Champions League trophy (Picture)

Then on May 21, 2008, Rooney had another trophy to kiss as the Devils defeated Chelsea on penalties to grab the Champions League trophy.

Wayne Rooney: 200th Appearance

Rooney scoring the match's second goal against Blackburn (Picture)

On Oct. 4, 2008, Wayne Rooney marked his 200th league appearance by scoring Manchester United's second goal of their game away to Blackburn Rovers.

Rooney Vs Tottenham

Wayne Rooney celebrating with Tevez and Berbatov against Tottenham (Picture)

On April 25, 2009, he scored his last league goals of the 2008/09 season against Tottenham in a memorable manner. Initially being 2-0 down, he helped Manchester United beat their enemies 5-2 with two goals and two set-ups, as well as a pass leading to a penalty.

A Late Goal in The 2009 Community Shield

Rooney scoring in the Community shield against Chelsea (Picture)

In the 2009 Community Shield, Rooney scored a 90th-minute goal for Manchester United against Chelsea. This could have been a great achievement, but United went on to lose on penalties.

100 Goals For Manchester United

Rooney hits 100 goals for United (Picture)

On Aug. 22, 2009, Rooney became Man Utd's 20th player to have exceeded 100 goals in the club's history. He scored his 100th goal against Wigan in the Premier League; a game in which he scored twice.

Hat-Trick Against Portsmouth

Rooney scores first hat-trick in 3 years against Portsmouth (Picture)

On Nov. 28 2009, Rooney scored his first hat-trick in three years against Portsmouth in the Premier League away from home. Two of his goals in the match were penalties.

Rooney Nets Four Goals Against Hull City

Rooney gets 4 goals against Hull City (Picture)

For the first time in his career as a professional player, on Jan. 23 2010, he stole four goals in a single game against Hull City. Three of his four goals came in the last 10 minutes of the game.

100th Premier League Goal

Wayne Rooney celebrating his 100th Premier League goal [Picture]

On Jan. 31, 2010, he scored his 100th Premier League goal against Arsenal in Manchester United's 3-1 away win.

Against AC Milan...

Wayne Rooney against AC Milan in the Champions League [Picture]

Having scored two goals against AC Milan at the San Siro on Feb. 16, 2010, Rooney was willing to further humiliate the Italians at the Old Trafford in the fixture's second leg. Indeed, with two more goals from him at home, Manchester United were capable of killing their visitors 4-0, with David Beckham watching sadly...

A Sad Ankle Injury Against Bayern Munich

Rooney suffers a leg injury against Bayern [Picture]

On March 30 2010, Roo twisted his ankle in the last minute against Bayern Munich in the Champions League's quarterfinals. This forced him out of action for a few weeks.

2010 PFA Players' Player of the Year

Wayne Rooney PFA's player

With over 30 goals in his 2009/10 season, the 2010 PFA Players' Player of the Year award could only go to one man of course: Manchester United's No.10 talisman...Wayne was honored with the prize on April 25, 2010.

The Rooney-Man Utd Breaking News

"I want to leave Manchester United," said Rooney

On Oct. 19, 2010, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed at a press conference that Wayne Rooney wanted to leave the Red Devils, subsequent to several rumors around the issue.

Read the full report on this breaking news

Wayne Rooney: Once a Blue, Forever Red!

Despite the situation less likely to get better between the striker and Coach Ferguson, it happened that Rooney agreed to sign a new five-year deal on Oct. 22, keeping him at the Manchester United football club 'til 2015.

Well, much more could happen to Rooney and his Man Utd fans from now till 2015, but in the meantime, that's it for me and the pictures.

For those wondering why the Coleen-Jenny scandal did not make it in this slideshow, a look at this article's main title might clarify everything. However, readers may get information on the scandal allegations by browsing through my previous slideshows of Wayne Rooney, or by clicking on the links below:

Scandal Allegations: Wayne, Coleen, and Jenny Part 1
Scandal Allegations: Wayne, Coleen, and Jenny Part 2
Scandal Allegations: Wayne, Coleen, and Jenny Part 3