September 7th 2024.
Football fans at Old Trafford erupted in cheers as Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney scored the opening goal in a charity match against Celtic. The star-studded event, which raised over £1million for the Manchester United Foundation, was a nostalgic reunion for many, with familiar faces like Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, and Dimitar Berbatov taking to the pitch alongside Rooney.
Rooney, who now manages Championship team Plymouth Argyle, couldn't resist poking fun at his own fitness levels after scoring a stunning free-kick goal in the 42nd minute. Despite his age of 38, the former United and England captain showed no signs of slowing down as he curled the ball over the wall and into the top left corner of the net, leaving Celtic's goalkeeper Artur Boruc in awe.
In a post-match interview with MUTV, Rooney joked, "Yeah, I'm alright with the ball at my feet. It's just the running part that's a bit tricky!" He also admitted that he was initially nervous about playing again after being away from the game for so long, but ultimately enjoyed being back on the pitch and seeing familiar faces.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes, with Celtic's Gary Hooper equalizing Rooney's wondergoal. However, United's team, managed by Bryan Robson, went on to win 5-4 on penalties, much to the delight of the 33,000 fans in attendance at the Theatre of Dreams.
For Rooney, the match was not just a chance to relive his glory days, but also a way to contribute towards a great cause. He praised the Manchester United Foundation for their work in helping young children and expressed his gratitude for being able to play a part in it.
"It's always great to see the team-mates you played with and even some players you didn't get the chance to play alongside," Rooney said. "But the most important thing is that we could all come together and support a great cause. The Manchester United Foundation does amazing work and I'm proud to have been a part of it for so long."
Overall, it was a memorable day for all involved, with Rooney's goal and the match itself serving as a reminder of the great moments shared at Old Trafford. And as the fans left the stadium, they couldn't help but feel grateful for the incredible players who have graced the pitch over the years and the memories they have left behind.
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