Wayne's Worldy: Stars React

Wayne Rooney’s brilliant goal at West Ham has evoked memories of David Beckham’s amazing strike against Wimbledon in 1996, also from near the halfway line.


We’ve been collating opinions on Wayne’s wonder-strike to see how it compares to the one scored by United's former no.7, who saw it first-hand from the stands at Upton Park.

David Moyes: “I wanted it to go in but I knew it was going to bounce and I was wondering whether it was going to go under the bar or over it – I wasn't sure. Thankfully there was a bit of rain before the game and that might have softened the pitch a little bit. It was a brilliant goal from a player who is capable of doing those sorts of things. It was like David Beckham's goal, or at least had similarities with it. Wayne tries it, that's the thing. We've been having a laugh in the dressing room saying he's tried that twenty times and it's never worked! But it came off today and it was a brilliant goal.”

Juan Mata on Twitter: “And I was asking for the ball... What a goal Wayne Rooney and a good game! Golazo!”

Lou Macari, on MUTV: "For me, Wayne's goal is better [than Beckham’s]. He starts off in a challenge with a West Ham defender, brushes him off, turns around, and quickly he's got to look up, hits it on the volley and it's got to go over the goalkeeper's head and under the crossbar. It's got to bounce almost perfectly, which it does do. I've seen David's – he makes a few strides forward, he looks up, there's nobody closing him down, and he's unopposed. It was still a brilliant goal, but he had time to size it up. He was in no hurry and saw the goalkeeper off his line. Wayne had to do it a lot quicker, it all happened a lot quicker. For me that's why it was a better goal.”

Gary Lineker on Twitter: "Magical goal from close to the halfway line by Rooney. Absolutely stunningly Beckhamesque."

Darren Fletcher, speaking to MUTV: “I’ve seen him try it a few times in games and he’s not quite pulled them off. But to have the vision to see the goalkeeper off his line and the way he executed it, I thought it was fantastic. [Becks or Rooney?] I’ve got to say Wayne’s actually. His was more of a half-volley. I think Becks’ was from a bit further out but I’m sure Wayne will be claiming it [that it’s better], don’t worry about that!

Michael Owen on Twitter: “Goals going in everywhere but none better than Wayne Rooney’s at Upton Park. Sheer class.”