Wayne Rooney names better overhead kick goal between his & Alejandro Garnacho’s
Wayne Rooney has conceded that his iconic 2011 bicycle kick in a Manchester derby wasn’t as technically good as Alejandro Garnacho’s similar effort in a win over Everton this season.
However, the former Manchester United skipper still considers his to have come in a „better game“. He also responded to the latest jibe that the ball came off his shin all those years ago.
„I’ve always said it’s actually harder to score with your shin!“ he joked when prodded by fellow pundit Jermaine Jenas during BBC One’s coverage of United’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest.
„I think Garnacho’s was better,“ he added. „I think Garnacho’s goal was a better goal, but I think doing it against Manchester City was a better game.“
No stranger to the spectacular throughout his career, Rooney certainly picked his moment to pull out arguably his greatest goal.
Rooney v Man City
Garnacho v Everton
Which was better? @WayneRooney has his day!#NFOMUN #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ldHKLI6rmM
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 28, 2024
United were coming off a loss to Wolves the week before and Manchester City were beginning to become a threat, making it all the more sweet when he struck the winner at Old Trafford in the manner that he did. United went on to claim a record-breaking 19th league title that season.
Garnacho’s goal, described at the time by United legend Gary Neville as being like „gymnastics“, was a little cleaner and more refined than what Rooney had managed. But it wasn’t as important in the context of the game or the season, coming in the third minute of a comfortable 3-0 win.
Rooney had scored 253 goals in a United shirt by the time he left Old Trafford in 2017, breaking Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing club record of 249 that had stood since the early 1970s.
Now 38, he hopes his story with United is not yet finished, revealing this week that he harbours ambition of one day becoming manager despite a recent setback in his coaching career.
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