London: Wayne Rooney took his cue from watching Manchester United predecessor David Beckham with a breath-taking 58-yard goal in his side`s 2-0 victory at West Ham United on Saturday.
Beckham made his name as a United player with a goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996-97 season and he was in attendance at Upton Park to see Rooney score a long-range lob of his own.
With eight minutes on the clock, Rooney outmuscled West Ham defender James Tomkins on halfway before looking up and dispatching a looping half-volley that bounced over befuddled goalkeeper Adrian and into the net.
The England striker added a second goal in the 33rd minute, which was his 212th in United`s colours, taking him into third place on the list of the club`s leading scorers behind Bobby Charlton (249) and Denis Law (237).
Explaining his opening goal, Rooney told Sky Sports: "It was just instinct. I turned, had a quick look and saw the keeper off the line. I`ve tried it many times and thankfully it went in.
"It is up there with my best. I would not say it is my favourite, but when they come off it is great for me and the team."
Asked if he thought it was better than Beckham`s famous strike, Rooney replied with a grin: "Of course, yeah."
AFP
First Published: Sunday, March 23, 2014, 04:36
