ronaldo, rooney, action!

Manchester United played some of the most attractive football and scored quite a few breathtaking goals over the 2006-07 season, but none more than this piece of action stands out for me. It does not have delicate touches, nor does it have a needle threading pass. It has good teamwork, terrific opportunism and clinical finishing, but what elevates it to Manchester United memorabilia, is its pace. The kind that draws gasps. The kind that makes the Premiership the most watched football league on the plant. Every single time I watch it, my pulse goes racing. For the past six months, one of my dependable sources for a 'high'...

The other standout feature of this clip is the commentary on the action. This is running commentary at its very best. In fact, it defines it. When Rooney lays off the ball to Ronaldo, the crowd starts buzzing. The commentator raises the decibel level to capture attention, just in case someone was in the midst of a slumber. As the ball travels downfield, there is time to describe Ronaldo's pace and the positions taken by his teammates, Rooney and Giggs. Clearly, along with the rest of the crowd, he too is expecting a goal to culminate this move. The excitement in the tone is apparent. Rooney receiving the ball at his feet meant that only the formality of finishing remained. This was the perfect moment for posturing. Rooney didn't have the time, but the commentator certainly did. So, he emphasizes "Wayne Rooney for Manchester United" knowing fully well that such acts gets him extra points from the Red Devils' faithful. By the time he finishes that, Rooney has already clipped the ball over the rushing goalkeeper and the ball is crossing over the goal line. With his voice at its absolute crescendo, he gushes "What a goal, Ohhhhh, What a goal!!!". Perfect timing!

Goal: 9/10
Commentary: 10/10