Wayne Rooney has rolled back the years as he scored a stunning 30-yard screamer to take Manchester United ahead of Celtic in a charity legends game – watched on by Coleen and his devoted family.
The former star, 38, returned to Old Trafford and pulled on the iconic Red Devils 10 shirt for the first time in seven years – following a 13-year career at the club that made him a legend.
He joined former teammates Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov to battle the Scottish side, who have struggled to face down the dominant assault.
But Glasgow team quickly managed to take one back – drawing level after 62 minutes with a long-range strike from Gary Hooper.
The tense game ended in a penalty shootout, with Nicky Butt leading Manchester United’s goal count.
And in a stunning flash of his old star talent the former England captain stunned cheering crowds as he flashed a free kick into the top corner from outside the box.
Watching on from the stands, his delighted family could be seen beaming with pride – as they leapt to their feet to shout their support from the terraces.
Wearing a leopard-print jumper, Coleen, 38, looked effortlessly chic in relaxed jeans and chunky gold jewellery.
The TV personality completed the look with subtle black heels, carying a black blazer over one arm.
Dressed to impress, the couple’s children wore their dad’s former team’s kit – and the Wagatha Christie star looked overjoyed as she saw her son’s vocal celebrations.
In a sweet moment, Wayne could be seen celebrating his goal with his two arms raised in the air – mirroring his son’s pose in the grandstand.
The striker was quickly mobbed by his delighted teammates as they enjoyed watching the Rooney sparkle return to the hallowed ground.
Manchester United’s all-time leading goal scorer, Rooney’s return to Old Trafford delighted fans, who could be heard begging him to shoot wherever he was on the pitch after his wondergoal.
He was taken off and substituted for old pal Paul Scholes at 64 minutes, as legendary captain Bryan Robson looked for fresh legs shortly after Celtic drew level.
Applauding the crowd as he walked from the field, the star wistfully looked up at the gathered fans cheering his name.
Meeting Scholes on the edge of the pitch, he handed across the captain’s armband as the pair exchanged a few words.
It followed an afternoon of memorable football for those attending – who got to see heroes Darren Fletcher, Dimitar Berbatov, Antonio Valencia and Nicky Butt returning to the pitch.
Currently a manager at Plymouth Argyle, he joined the Championship side after a spell at Birmingham City last season lasted just 83 days, with nine losses in 15 games.
The job came after punditry duties took him to Euro 2024. Plymouth are currently in the relegation zone after their opening four games.
While Rooney is a boyhood Everton fan, he will no doubt be relishing the chance to play against Celtic – having previously admitted that his family have always supported the Scottish Premiership club.
‘My family and I have always followed Celtic since I was a boy anyway,’ he said following an international game against Scotland at Celtic Park back in 2013.
‘My kids have all got Celtic kits and I always look out for the scores.’
He left Manchester United in 2017 after 393 appearances and 183 goals, where he was widely regarded as Britain’s best player.
Rooney’s last competitive appearance for the Red Devils came during the 2017 Europa League final, where they beat Ajax 2-0.
He then returned to his boyhood club Everton, picking up the number 10 shirt and scoring his 200th Premier League goal.
Having initially joined United from Everton in 2004, the Merseyside-born striker went on to overtake Sir Bobby Chartlon as the Red Devils’s top all-time goal scorer.
Since then, he has enjoyed stints as captain for American side DC United at Derby County, where he was a player coach.
This morning, Rooney’s Plymouth side lost 1-0 in a tight game against Stoke – which was sealed with an 83rd minute winner.
Stoke’s Swedish goalkeeper Viktor Johansson made a handful of superb stops to frustrate Plymouth.
Speaking after the defeat, Rooney said: ‘First 15 minutes we didn’t press with enough aggression but I felt, from there, we took control of the game. We were better in the second half.
‘When we had momentum in the game, players need to be in the right positions, in the middle of the goal and when we are there we need to take those chances and not snatch at shots.
‘I think if we were clinical and more ruthless in front of goal, we could have won the game.
‘It’s the same message we have been putting out in the first four (league) games really.
‘Coming off the back of the Middlesbrough win, we knew Stoke would come here with confidence.
‘I felt if anyone was going to win the game it would be us as the game went on.
‘Of course, we are disappointed to concede but there were lots of positives.
‘We were aggressive in the second half and got into some really good areas and when you get into those areas, you need to take advantage of that.
‘Unfortunately we allowed Stoke back into the game and they got the goal.
‘I think the players have taken a lot of information in. Since the first (Championship) game they have been three tight games. We lose the game today because we didn’t take our chances.’