It is a game to take Manchester United back in time. Back to the 2004 evening when Wayne Rooney made perhaps the most auspicious Old Trafford debut of all. The fearless teenager was acquiring the nickname of the "White Pele" and strode on to the stage in the manner of a man who belonged on it, commanded the attention and scored a hat-trick against Fenerbahce.
A repeat in the reunion would mean that, after a dozen years, Rooney equals Bobby Charlton’s United record of 249 goals even though scoring three in one night appears improbable after only finding the net twice in 22 games.
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Yet it should be a nostalgic night. Fenerbahce may only be ninth in the Turkish Super Lig and their attack may feature a forward who, like Rooney, has only scored once this season, but his presence could transport United back to more productive times.
Robin van Persie’s United career spanned three years but he was arguably their finest one-season wonder.
Before decline sent his career, like Rooney’s, into a downwards spiral, he was the greatest single on-field reason for their last treasured trophy. He was their last definitive Alex Ferguson footballer.
Theirs was a mutual admiration society. It is worth revisiting Ferguson’s words from April 2013 when Van Persie scored a hat-trick, one a sublime volley from Rooney’s cross-field pass, to clinch United’s 20th league title.
“When great players became available and you feel United should have him, you have to go for him,” the Scot said.
“He has made as big an impact as any I can imagine. I’m very lucky. I remember Arsene [Wenger] saying: ‘He’s a better player than you think’.”
Van Persie was a better player than anyone else in England, with the possible exception of Gareth Bale, that year. He scored 30 goals, many the product of an immaculate technique.
His £24 million (Dh88.15m) move from Arsenal turned out to be an early retirement present from the Glazers, allowing Ferguson to go out on a high.
He became United’s talisman. Rooney lost that status and his place. He and Van Persie were colleagues, not kindred spirits.
They dovetailed well at times, particularly for the goal against Aston Villa, without becoming a true partnership.
After the uneasy alliance, they became rivals. Rooney emerged as the survivor, preferred for the captaincy and then the lone striker’s role by Louis van Gaal.
Van Persie’s United career was one of diminishing returns: 30 goals in 2012/13, 18 in 2013/14, 10 in 2014/15.
He had one outstanding season, one that felt underwhelming then but, with the benefit of hindsight, appears better and one that remains unsatisfactory. And then he was offloaded, at a considerable loss, to Fenerbahce.
Now he returns, almost certainly to a fine ovation. “It will be a special occasion and a special game for me,” he said.
He is a favourite but he stands alone in United history. Others have made huge contributions to title-winning United teams, whether George Best in 1966/67, Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel in 1995/96 or Cristiano Ronaldo in 2007/08, but in the context of great Old Trafford careers.
Rooney represents another fading force now. He has offered more longevity – 12 years and counting – but with the marked difference that his 30-goal campaigns came in years United did not win the league.
While Jose Mourinho has not named his team, the chances are he will start tonight if Zlatan Ibrahimovic is rested ahead of Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.
The Swede is older than Rooney and Van Persie but is United’s present. In their different ways, Rooney and Van Persie represent the past.
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