Wayne Rooney Scores Sensational Free-Kick, But Manchester United Legends Lose to Celtic in Penalty Shootout

Wayne Rooney Scores Stunner, But Manchester United Legends Fall to Celtic in Penalty Shootout

Wayne Rooney made a memorable return to Old Trafford, scoring a sensational free-kick for Manchester United Legends during their charity match against Celtic Legends. Rooney, United’s all-time leading scorer and currently the manager of Plymouth, rolled back the years with his superb strike, giving fans a taste of his enduring brilliance. The match, which raised funds for the Manchester United Foundation, was packed with iconic players from both teams, including Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov, and Michael Carrick.

The first half saw Wayne Rooney's free-kick put United in the lead, a vintage goal that reminded everyone of his incredible talent. Celtic, however, equalized in the second half when Gary Hooper capitalized on a rebound after Stiliyan Petrov's audacious strike hit the crossbar.

After a 1-1 draw at full-time, the match went straight to a penalty shootout. Rooney converted his penalty, but United's Danny Webber missed a crucial shot, allowing Darren O’Dea to score the winning penalty for Celtic, securing a 5-4 victory.

The game started slowly with both teams feeling their way into the contest. Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kelvin Wilson had early chances, while United's Michael Carrick dictated play in midfield, forcing Artur Boruc into a save. The match livened up after the drinks break, with Rooney’s deflected shot and Dimitar Berbatov's header providing excitement for the crowd.

As the second half began, Celtic dominated possession, looking for the equalizer. United nearly doubled their lead when Berbatov’s chip grazed the crossbar. Celtic eventually found their way back into the game with Hooper’s equalizer, sending the match to penalties.

Despite United's star-studded lineup, it was Celtic’s younger legs that ultimately prevailed, with Darren O’Dea slotting home the decisive penalty to seal the victory.

The charity match was a celebration of football legends, with Manchester United vs Celtic always drawing attention from fans. Rooney's goal and performance stood out, but Celtic’s resilience and penalty prowess carried them to victory in this thrilling encounter.