There have been some spectacular volleys scored by Manchester United players over the years, so it was a very difficult task to narrow the list down to 5, but here goes…
5. Paul Scholes v Bradford (25th March 2000) – Of course the great man had to feature in the countdown, hardly surprising! Scholes scored one of the greatest Premier League goals of the new millennium just a couple of months into it, as he sweetly struck Beckham’s inch perfect corner into the net from fully 25 yards. The goal was the third in a 4-0 away win at hapless Bradford as United eased to their 6th title in 8 seasons.
4. Wayne Rooney v Newcastle (24th April 2005) – At number 4 in the list is a pile driver from our current captain towards the end of his first season at the club. A throwback to the Rooney of old, a superb but highly volatile young talent, he struck the shot first time almost in anger and frustration as it flew past Shay Given in a flash, probably because, as the commentator said, he was about to be taken off! The season ended without a trophy for the Reds, but Rooney’s form was one of the shining lights from the campaign.
3. Robin van Persie v Aston Villa (22nd April 2013) – It would be hard to not include this special effort from another striker towards the end of his first season at the club. Robin van Persie had almost single handedly got us to the position where a win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford would seal our 20th league title, and he did it in style with a top draw hat-trick, the second of which was one of the best volleys ever scored by a United player. The Dutchman struck a first time left footed effort into the corner following a sublime cross field ball from Wayne Rooney. The goal typified his amazing impact in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge.
2. Paul Scholes v Aston Villa (23rd December 2006) – Another against Villa, and another from Scholes. It was very hard to not put this as number one, quite possibly the greatest goal scored by the midfield magician, a wonderful strike which crashed in off the bar right in front of the away fans who went berserk, as did Scholes. The second of a 3-0 victory in the middle of the 2006/2007 title winning season as United got their trophy back after the Arsenal invincibles campaign and Chelsea’s back to back triumphs.
1. Wayne Rooney v Manchester City (12th February 2011) – Some will say this is a list of volleys, and not overhead kicks, but an overhead kick is still a volley, and this remains the greatest volley ever scored by a Manchester United player, and up there with our greatest ever goals. To be honest, I think it would be an injustice to not include it. An out of form Rooney, who had only scored 3 goals at Old Trafford all season, just 5 in total and had asked to leave the club in October, went quite a way to paying it all back with a stupendous goal. The ball in from Nani was deflected, so Rooney had to adjust his body to acrobatically finish into the top corner. It did come off his shin, but it made no difference to United fans who were sent into raptures as it won the game against our noisy neighbours and sent us on our way to a record breaking 19th league title.
Do you agree with this Top 5? Tweet us @ReadManUtd with any other suggestions!
