Wayne Rooney is a striker for England and Manchester United in the English Premier League.  He shot to prominence in 2003, as a 16 year old, when he scored THAT goal against Arsenal to end their unbeaten streak.  His explosive pace and power made him a handful, even at such a young age, and he has developed into one of the world’s best footballers at Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney was born on 24th October 1985, in Liverpool.  He grew up in the council estate of Croxteth, and openly admits that he should have studied more as a child – though he was more interested in his boxing and football. He has two younger brothers (one plays for Macclesfield as a footballer) and has been going out with Coleen Mcloughlin (now his wife) since he was 15 years old – before he had hit the big-time.

As a youngster he was tipped for great things, and was snapped up at the age of 10 by Everton – the club he supported as a boy.  His prolific goal-scoring in the youth teams ensured that most people involved in English youth football knew of his skill, but it was only when he struck a fantastic 20 yard shot that beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman that he became a house-hold name.

Modelling himself on his child-hood hero Duncan Ferguson (and playing alongside him), Rooney makes use of his brute strength and power when he plays football, enabling him to hold off defenders or create an extra yard of space for himself.  Rooney soon became the star of the Everton team, but after another unambitious summer by the Blues he handed in a transfer request asking to go somewhere that he would be able to play European football.  Newcastle made a bid of around £18.5m, but Rooney was quite settled in the North-West so held out for Manchester United to make a bid.

Wayne Rooney signed for Manchester United for £30m, making him the most expensive teenager in world football at the time.  Having signed on transfer deadline day, Rooney missed the start of the United season, but made his debut on 28^th September 2004.  Big things were expected of the young ‘scouser’, and he met them all with a stunning hatrick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

In spite of joining the most successful team in modern times, it took two years before Rooney won his first trophy – the Carling Cup in 2006.  This taste of victory was followed up by back-to-back league titles, and culminated in the Champions League victory in Moscow in May 2008.

Rooney has always been a spirited footballer, who has the competitive ‘edge’ that gives him a winning mentality.  Sometimes this has spilled over into over-aggressive play, especially when his team is playing badly and losing – causing a frustrated Wayne Rooney to lash out.  Sir Alex Ferguson as well as legend Diego Maradona have both claimed that Rooney needs to keep this edge, even if it does cost him a few suspensions each season.

Wayne Rooney took over from Michael Owen when he made his debut for England in February 2003, becoming the nation’s talisman and main goal-scoring hope.  He took Euro 2004 by storm, scoring three goals before he limped out of the Quarter Final match against Portugal.  England went on to lose the game without Rooney.

Rooney was also off early against Portugal in World Cup 2006, when his two-footed lunge on Ricardo Carvalho earned him a straight red.  Much was made of Cristiano Ronaldo’s involvement in getting his Manchester United team-mate sent-off, but Wayne texted Ronaldo a ‘good luck’ message just hours after the game had finished.

Rooney remains England’s big hope, as the country gears up for South Africa 2010.