Wayne Rooney makes Soccer Aid history as Man United legend, 39, rolls back the years by scoring at the Stretford End in charity match

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney scored in front of the Stretford End just four minutes into Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity match at Old Trafford.

Rooney, 39, playing for England against a Rest of the World XI, fired home from 14 yards after ex-United team-mate Edwin van der Sar had failed to gather a cross.

The goal set a new record as the earliest in Soccer Aid history.

Soccer Aid, which was launched in 2006, sees former football stars share a field with celebrities in the name of raising money for UNICEF.

While it is the biggest sporting event of their lives for many of the individuals involved, Rooney has been there and done many times before — scoring 253 goals for United during his playing career, plus 53 for England. 

But the ex-England captain still looked very happy with himself after finding the net on Sunday.

Rooney found the net after just four minutes of play — the earliest goal in Soccer Aid history

Having ended up on the ground after shooting, Rooney initially celebrated by raising both of his hands to the air.

After being helped to his feet by Angry Ginge and Bella Ramsey, he hugged many of his team-mates before celebrating again with a clenched fist and a big smile.

He then blew a kiss into the crowd. 

Rooney was not the only former England international on display on Sunday.

Joe Hart, Gary Neville, Jack Wilshere, Michael Carrick and former Lionesses star Jill Scott also started for the home team, decked out in a retro kit based on the Umbro number worn at the 2002 World Cup.

Meanwhile, England’s celebrity cohort included Louis Tomlinson, Paddy McGuinness, Alex Brooker, Steven Bartlett, Mo Farah and Tom Grennan.

Joining Van der Sar on the other side were the likes of Harry Kewell, Nemanja Vidic, Rivaldo, David Trezeguet and former boxer Tony Bellew.

Rivaldo came close to equalising midway through the first half when he flicked a lobbed effort over the head of Hart, only to be denied by a flying goal-line clearance from YouTuber Angry Ginge. 

Ex-England captain Rooney looked delighted after his goal, as he sat on the ground grinning

Rooney was then helped to his feet by celebrity team-mates Angry Ginge and Bella Ramsey 

England then went 2-0 up just before the break when former England, Everton, Man City and Barcelona winger Toni Duggan slotted past Van der Sar following a fine through pass by Carrick. 

More to follow.