19. Wayne Rooney
There was a passage of play in the second half of England’s final World Cup 2014 qualifier against Poland that harked back to the Wayne Rooney of Euro 2004.
The Manchester United striker took the ball, quickly burst past two players and considered shooting. The teenage Rooney, arguably the most exciting youngster in the game at the time, would certainly have tried his luck.
The 27 year-old Rooney, honed by Sir Alex Ferguson to be more machine than man (or instinctive street footballer) checked his stride, and soon the chance was gone.
Still, the nostalgia for a decade ago was most welcome, and arguably the highlight of David Moyes’ return to Manchester United thus far has been an increasingly confident Rooney, playing in his favoured position.
Wayne Rooney has never scored a goal in the finals of a World Cup tournament, despite regularly prolific qualification campaigns. Brazil 2014 may be his last opportunity to change that.
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