Wayne Rooney Ends Man United Goal Drought With Hat Trick In UCL (Video)

Wayne Rooney finally is scoring again for Manchester United.

Rooney spectacularly ended his lengthy goal-less spell Wednesday in Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League qualifier. Rooney scored a hat trick to confirm Manchester United’s progression into the Champions League group stage.

Rooney scored his first goal in the 20th minute after running onto Memphis Depay’s through ball and beating the goalkeeper with a neat finish.

Rooney gives #MUFC the lead after a quality pass from Memphis! #UCL https://t.co/YOeH6hLAu7

— World Soccer Shop (@worldsoccershop) August 26, 2015

Rooney ended a goal drought, which spanned nearly ten games dating back last season. He previously scored on April 4 in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

878 – Wayne Rooney's goal drought lasted a total of 878 minutes in all competitions. Relief.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 26, 2015

Rooney doubled his pleasure in the 49th minute by finishing a flowing move. Ander Herrera provided the assist on Rooney’s second.

Great combo and finish from Rooney! https://t.co/Njl08VeXf0

— World Soccer Shop (@worldsoccershop) August 26, 2015

Rooney completed his hat trick just eight minutes later. Juan Mata played Rooney into space with pass similar to Depay’s.

Rooney’s domestic and European hat-trick droughts were much longer than his single-goal barren run.

That's Wayne Rooney's first #mufc hat-trick since Bolton away nearly four years ago.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 26, 2015

2004 – Wayne Rooney has scored his first European hat-trick since his Man United debut against Fenerbahce in 2004. Renaissance.

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) August 26, 2015

Rooney has faced intense criticism recently for his failure to score in Manchester United’s first four games of 2015-16. He now has opened his account in kick-started his chase for Manchester United’s all-time goals record. Rooney will break Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 career goals for the Red Devils this season if he hits his target of 20. Three down, 17 to go.