Legend, a word often overused in football and what makes a legend could be debated all day. All clubs have their legends but not all will be remembered as legendary figures in the game.
At Manchester United, a club full of history and tradition at the highest level, the debate about who would be classed as a legend could fill a thousand blogs.
Take a look around Old Trafford and you are faced with the statues of Busby, Ferguson, Charlton, Best and Law. In fact Denis Law has two statues, with the often unseen King of the Stretford End statue within the Stretford End stairwells and concourse.
The Munich tunnel tells the story of those who lost their lives on that tragic day in 1958, many of whom are regarded as legends. Outside on the forecourt lies a brick pavement, where in gold letters the names of United greats glisten in the Manchester sunshine. No matter where you are at Old Trafford the names of some of the club's greatest players prevail.
Step forward Wayne Rooney, a majestic last minute free kick in the dying minutes of injury time at Stoke was his 250th goal for the club, a goal which broke Bobby Charlton's record and made him Manchester United's all time leading goal scorer, a record that will stand for many years to come and may never be broken. A record surely fit for a legend.
Legends of the game at the top level are few and far between and for Rooney, he may not get that full recognition until he has finished playing. Don't expect United to be casting a statue of Wayne or naming a stand after him just yet, at 31 years of age he still has more to give, but don't rule out that one day it will happen.
Rooney is someone who divides opinion and there are many amongst United support who will never class him as a legend. Two transfer requests don't sit well with some United fans, especially when a request in October 2010 was seen as him engineering a move to arch rivals Manchester City. Many see his Scouse background and can never attach themselves fondly with anyone or anything from the City of Liverpool.
Ask United fans to name the club's legends and George Best will be amongst the replies. Yet George himself was no stranger to controversy and he himself twice walked out on the club after refusing to play. In 1972 George said he was disillusioned with United, saw a lack of quality in the club's transfers and eventually retired in 1973 only to play for other clubs. The following season United were relegated. Yet today, George's name is sung loud and proud by the United faithful and his legendary status will always be secure.
Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand, legends to some, both had spells where their refusal to sign new contracts meant they weren't viewed in good light by United fans. Yet many will lay claim to Keane being one of United's legendary defenders and Ferdinand the best defender to pull on the famous red shirt.
Rooney shot to prominence as a 16 year old teenager at Everton. "Remember the name" screamed the commentary as Rooney lobbed David Seaman to score the winning goal against Arsenal. His performances for Everton and his early games for England had the country taking note. For England fans and the English media, Wayne was seen as the golden child who could bring glory to the national team.
With that expectation came the media hounding, as much as he was on the back pages, there would always be the front page headlines aimed at his activities off the pitch. If England lost, the burden would be placed on his shoulders, despite him carrying on many occasions a team of average players.
Yet his goals record for his country sees him at the top of England's all time goal scoring charts, a record he again took from Sir Bobby Charlton and a record many others such as Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker failed to topple. A legend of the national game.
Rooney was always portrayed as that Golden Child. He was unfortunate that at his peak he was up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, two players who have taken football to another level. Yet as Ronaldo won the 2008 Ballon d'Or, the graft and performances of Wayne Rooney were as deserving of the accolades itself.
It was back in the summer of 2004 when an 18 year old Wayne Rooney was the player all United fans wanted. The transfer dragged out, but the deadline day signing was box office, so much so, it remains the only player arrival that was broadcast live on the club's TV station MUTV.
As dramatic that deadline day activity was, it was overshadowed by his United debut in October 2004, when a baby faced Rooney had Europe sitting up with a debut hat trick. The confidence from Rooney was clear as he pushed away senior pros in order to take a free kick which was subsequently placed in the top corner of the goal, just like his 250th strike.
Take a look amongst those 250 goals and you will find many that stick out. The overhead last minute winner v Manchester City will take some beating, but there are many spectacular ones amongst that record breaking figure. Winners at Anfield, goals in the San Siro, hat tricks v Arsenal, European Cup final goal at Wembley v Barcelona and sublime chips in the FA Cup. Goals that have won games and goals that have influenced games.
Rooney has won every major honour in the game. 5 league titles, a European Cup, Club World Cup, the FA Cup and 2 League Cups, often at a time when he sacrificed his forward position for that of the team.
Wayne Rooney, we certainly will remember the name!
Andrew is the co-founder of Stretford End Flags, an independent fans group set up to improve the atmosphere and colour within Old Trafford. SEF provide the famous Stretford End banners. Visit stretfordendflags.com for more information - and to get involved.
Follow Stretford End Flags on Twitter: @sef_Mufc
