Wayne Rooney brought a sprinkle of nostalgia in the hearts of Manchester United fans worldwide with a hattrick for Everton in a 4-0 win over West Ham United.
Manchester United fans were saddened to see the club record-holder for most goals depart, there was also a sense of relief that the player would no longer endure what had become a frustrating routine at United lately, with Rooney not spending much time on the pitch under Jose Mourinho.
His move to Everton has not been rosy either, with the Toffees on a tough run of results and under the tutelage of caretaker manager David Unsworth after Ronald Koeman were given his marching orders.
However, the midweek brought some magic back and made every one sit up and take note of Wayne Rooney and the fact that it is criminal to write him off.
Everton needed a win badly and Rooney delivered. Not only did the former Manchester United man score a hattrick but one of the goals – a volley from beyond the halfway line – was reminiscent of David Beckham’s goal for United and was better than Rooney’s previous similar effort during his United days.
Naturally, Rooney was the toast of the town on Twitter as people hailed his ability to still produce magical moments like these.
Wayne Rooney gets his first hattrick since 2011 and what a way to do it! A goal from his own half!!! pic.twitter.com/ZuC3BrmWcu
— Marwan Ahmed (@MarwanAhmed_KF) November 29, 2017
An evergreen WAYNE #ROONEY#EVEWHU pic.twitter.com/HapehHlDr9
— Scouting Report (@ScoutingRep) November 29, 2017
2272 – Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick tonight came 2272 days since his last (10th September 2011) – the longest gap between two hat-tricks by a player in @premierleague history. Screamer. pic.twitter.com/14u3GGP4GD
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 29, 2017
Party like it’s 2011, @WayneRooney! ?? pic.twitter.com/mumrDYwQQD
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2017
To be fair David Moyes always felt he would get the best out of Wayne Rooney
— Stephen Elliott (@SleevesElliott) November 29, 2017
That’s why he ALWAYS has to play! Wayne Rooney is one of the most gifted footballers this country has ever seen! They lad is simply a footballing genius! #COYB ?
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) November 29, 2017
That Wayne Rooney goal got us like… pic.twitter.com/zRRUmxJelu
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) November 29, 2017
Wow what a goal @WayneRooney! And what a hat-trick. ?????? #EVEWHU
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) November 29, 2017
ONE OF FOOTBALL’S GREAT GOALS!!!!!! Wayne Rooney ?????
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 29, 2017
Wayne Rooney rolling back the Everton years like… pic.twitter.com/XWQac1YDjS
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2017
Wayne Rooney starts with a W for a reason
— Mr X²³ (@Girouzy) November 29, 2017
Naturally, Rooney’s goal was instantly compared with Beckham’s.
2014: Wayne Rooney scores from just inside the West Ham half.
“Not quite Beckham from the halfway line.”
2017: Wayne Rooney scores from inside his own half against West Ham.
— bet365 (@bet365) November 29, 2017
Rooney’s was amazing. Beckham’s is the best. Lobbing the keeper > sweet strike into an open goal. pic.twitter.com/h1dCMoVB3W
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) November 29, 2017
Is there a worse keeper in the league than Joe Hart? That Rooney goal is great, but it’s no Beckham or Alonso effort.
— Neil Docking (@NeilDocking) November 29, 2017
Rooney’s 3rd goal last night was superb but Beckham v Wimbledon and Figueroa v Stoke are both better
— Michael Cox (@MichaelCox3792) November 30, 2017
Look lads. I like Rooney. I liked his goal but comparing it to Beckham’s is a joke. Beckham lobbed a keeper. Rooney (impressively) scored a long range open goal. Ones a 10/10 ones an 8/10
— Dave Mitchell (@DodgyTatDave) November 30, 2017