The 10 Best Old Trafford Goals...In My Lifetime

After all the justified excitement and sheer astonishment at Rooney's finish against Citeh on Saturday (I really haven't gotten tired of speaking about it), it got me thinking: what are the best goals I have witnessed in my lifetime as a United fan? I am 24, before you ask, so although that immediately eliminates the likes of Best, Charlton and Law from finding their way into this list, I think you'll find it was still a trickier challenge than you'd think...

10. Van Nistelrooy vs. Fulham, 2003

His most prolific and influential season, the Dutchman capped off an incredible, title-winning campaign at United with a European Golden Boot, PFA Player of the year...and this absolute peach against Fulham in the league. Often disregarded as a genuinely talented player because he was 'only' a centre forward, this solo goal (one of 44 in the 2002/03 season) proved he had a lot more to offer than just being at the right place, at the right time. Still gutted his time at United equated to a mere five seasons.

9. Ronaldo vs. Portsmouth, 2008

Arguably the best goal Ronaldo scored at United, this gravity defying free-kick is the best representation of his perfected, unique free-kick style that has simply never been accomplished, or even attempted, by anyone else due to the sheer complex nature of its execution.

8. Smith vs. Roma, 2007

I have a real soft-spot for Smudge (so apologies if you're reading his name on this list thinking 'what the f**k?'), and in particular this goal in the 7-1 win was so special. Out for nearly eight months after the leg break/ankle dislocation at Anfield, this goal is not only remembered as his first coming back from injury, and last goal for United; it was also a beautiful, flowing team goal that best summed up one of our most accomplished, coherent displays ever in Europe.

7. Beckham vs. Real, 2000

Often maligned for his lack of innovation and inability to divert from his tried and tested game plan, this was Beckham giving the old dribbling malarkey a go and...well...doing it rather well. For it's completely non-Beckhamness, this has to be my favourite ever Beckham goal.

6. Giggs vs. Juventus, 1997

His best goal ever was of course scored at Villa
Park a season later, but I have always felt this was the 'other' goal to
represent exactly what Giggs' beautiful dribbling skills and powerful
left-footed shots have always been about.

5. Scholes vs. Barcelona, 2008

A tough one this as to whether to have Giggs' goal or Scholes' in the top five. This stunning shot from distance against Barcelona in the CL semi-final, an absolute screamer that saw us reach the final for the first time since 1999, only edged Ryan's because of it's impact on our incredible 07/08 season. Plus, the picture above is genius!!

4. Macheda vs. Aston Villa, 2009

Even now, thinking about what to write I've got goosebumps. Our season was falling apart - a 4-1 home defeat against Liverpool, followed by 3-0 defeat at Craven Cottage. We were now facing our third loss on the trot as Villa took a deserved 2-1 lead. Ronaldo, as was often the case in the 08/09 season, came to the rescue with an 80th minute equaliser. Yet fully aware that the Scousers, thanks largely to their capitalisation in recent weeks, were catching up we knew a win was imperative. If Ronaldo's second of the game was almost expected, what happened next was truly unpredictable and as the United players show, completely overwhelming...

3. Rooney vs. Newcastle, 2005

Formerly the defining Wayne Rooney goal, this truly represents the Rooney of old. Not only was he more inclined to a scorching goal of this nature back then...he was also a moody bastard. You see him trudging around and hassling the referee in the build-up to the goal, with the commentator even noting he should be taken off, only for him to produce a shot of such venom and accuracy (perhaps enhanced by the fact that he was clearly pissed off). An incredible volley that was only just pushed aside by his actions the other day.

2. Rooney vs. City, 2011

No, it's not my greatest ever Old Trafford. Greatest goal against Citeh at OT? Greatest derby winner? A resounding yes to both of those. But I can't ever have a 'greatest ever' list and not have Le Roi as number 1...

1. Cantona vs. Sunderland, 1996

My United hero - my Charlton, Law and Best - scoring arguably his greatest ever goal in the 5-0 win at home to Sunderland. I may have only been 10, but I remember seeing it at the time and thinking it was like nothing I had ever seen. And when it came to the end of season review, I simply couldn't stop rewinding the video and watching it over and over again. The control to deny the Sunderland defenders the opportunity of nicking the ball off him (the cheek!), the one-two with Choccy, the vision and sumptuous chip...and the iconic celebration that created the most eternal, defining image of this great man. Classy, elegant, majestic, even arrogant - his celebration (above), as with Rooney's in the derby, that interpreted read 'yeh, and what?' gave the world a moment to remind themselves and reflect on how much of a bonafide genius he really was.