Like Michael Owen, another who exploded into football while he was barely shaving, Wayne Rooney appears much older than he is.
In fact, he celebrates his 23rd birthday on Wednesday and it would be fitting were he to mark it with his 100th career goal on Saturday at the ground where he grew up.
"It would be special to do it at Everton," he said after a display in Tuesday's 3-0 victory that the Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan, described as "unplayable". "To do it at the club where I started; that would be really pleasing.
"It would be a sweet moment. It is a big game for Manchester United and myself because of my background at Everton. I scored my first ever goal there and I remember when I came into the Everton team, at the age of 16, Alan Stubbs told me to enjoy every moment because it goes a lot quicker than you think.
"Over the years I have realised he is right – the last six or seven years have flown by – so I want to enjoy every game and every season because before too long I'll be finishing."
The quality of his finishing is something that should strike fear into an Everton side who have not won at Goodison Park this season.
Should he score, Rooney will not receive the mass ovation Steven Gerrard, was granted when bringing up his century at Anfield last month. His leaving of Goodison four years ago was too bitter on both sides for there to be any pleasure from Merseyside's blue half.
His first senior goal, in October 2003, is still, however, etched into Everton's history – the long ball from Thomas Gravesen brought wonderfully under control by the teenager, the turn, the run and the shot past David Seaman and the commentator crying out: "Remember the name: Wayne Rooney."
It has been difficult to forget, although through his career his goals have come in waves. This present run with nine in seven matches for England and Manchester United is something of a tsunami.
He said: "I think I am starting to play a lot higher up the pitch and attack defenders a bit more than I did earlier in the season. I would hope I would get 20 goals this season.'' (telegraph)
In fact, he celebrates his 23rd birthday on Wednesday and it would be fitting were he to mark it with his 100th career goal on Saturday at the ground where he grew up.
"It would be special to do it at Everton," he said after a display in Tuesday's 3-0 victory that the Celtic manager, Gordon Strachan, described as "unplayable". "To do it at the club where I started; that would be really pleasing.
"It would be a sweet moment. It is a big game for Manchester United and myself because of my background at Everton. I scored my first ever goal there and I remember when I came into the Everton team, at the age of 16, Alan Stubbs told me to enjoy every moment because it goes a lot quicker than you think.
"Over the years I have realised he is right – the last six or seven years have flown by – so I want to enjoy every game and every season because before too long I'll be finishing."
The quality of his finishing is something that should strike fear into an Everton side who have not won at Goodison Park this season.
Should he score, Rooney will not receive the mass ovation Steven Gerrard, was granted when bringing up his century at Anfield last month. His leaving of Goodison four years ago was too bitter on both sides for there to be any pleasure from Merseyside's blue half.
His first senior goal, in October 2003, is still, however, etched into Everton's history – the long ball from Thomas Gravesen brought wonderfully under control by the teenager, the turn, the run and the shot past David Seaman and the commentator crying out: "Remember the name: Wayne Rooney."
It has been difficult to forget, although through his career his goals have come in waves. This present run with nine in seven matches for England and Manchester United is something of a tsunami.
He said: "I think I am starting to play a lot higher up the pitch and attack defenders a bit more than I did earlier in the season. I would hope I would get 20 goals this season.'' (telegraph)
