If anyone knows how to strike a volley, it’s Manchester United’s all-time record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
Not only a great goalscorer but frequently a scorer of great goals, you could pretty comfortably fill an evening’s worth of entertainment by grabbing the popcorn and taking in a compilation of the former England international’s greatest volleys.
Who could ever forget that overhead kick against Man City? The halfway line howitzer against West Ham?
The thumping thunderbolt that nearly sent the back of the Old Trafford net flying down the M52 against Newcastle, Wayne Rooney channelling his frustration at the nearby referee into one of the most venomous shots you will ever see.
On Wednesday night, Manchester United taking on Newcastle and beating The Magpies again, another fierce volley hit the headlines. Albeit one not quite as spectacular or quite as long-range as Rooney’s almost 19 years ago exactly.
Amad Diallo inspires Manchester United win
Amad Diallo opened his Premier League account in some style, fizzing a first-time shot past ex-United loanee Martin Dubravka after a poor clearance landed in his path on the edge of the penalty area. For Rooney, it was not all about the contact – pure and true – but about the way the former Sunderland loanee positioned himself.
Almost manifesting, willing the goal into existence.
“Great strike,” Rooney tells Sky Sports (15 May, 10pm). “He’s out himself in a position at the edge of the box hoping the ball will fall to him
“It’s a very poor header. It falls to Amad and he couldn’t have hit that any better.”
Equalling Antony’s Premier League tally for 2023/24 in the space of just 26 minutes either side of half-time – he also set up Kobbie Mainoo‘s opener on the night – Amad may just have carved his name into Erik ten Hag’s team sheet ahead of next week’s FA Cup final re-match with Pep Guardiola’s City side.
From the short to the long-term, meanwhile, Rooney feels that there is a place for the 21-year-old Ivorian in Man United’s future; The Red Devils a team in transition, and propped up by baby-faced brilliance.
“What Amad showed was a bravery to get on the ball. He tried things,” Rooney adds. “He did really well at Sunderland and he’s done well since he’s come into the team
“There’s opportunity for (the young players) to really stake a place in the team.”
Erik ten Hag’s side draw level with Newcastle
The only frustration is that Amad had to wait until the final few weeks of a pretty dismal campaign to make his mark. It’s hard to imagine Man United struggling to break down the likes of Burnley and Brentford without the £19 million signing from Atalanta jinking in from the wing, picking passes and prying the locks.
“He’s waited a long time,” adds Andy Cole, fourth on the top-flight’s all-time scoring charts. “Now, he’s been given an opportunity and he’s done well.
“(Amad) gets his first goal in the Premier League and that will be a real plus for him.”
Man United are still eighth heading into Sunday’s final day trip to Brighton. They have, however, drawn level with Newcastle, and can overtake Eddie Howe’s team if The Magpies drop points at Brentford.
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