<P> In December, Rooney was named 2002's BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year . Six days after claiming the award he scored the winning goal against Blackburn Rovers in a 2--1 home win . His first career red card came on Boxing Day in a 1--1 away draw against Birmingham City for a late challenge on Steve Vickers . In January 2003, Rooney signed his first professional contract, which made him one of world football's highest - paid teenagers . Rooney's first goal of 2003 came on 23 March, netting Everton's only goal in a 2--1 loss at Arsenal . In April, he scored a goal in Everton's 2--1 home win over Newcastle United, before hitting a last - minute winner against Aston Villa in another 2--1 home win . He ended his debut season with eight goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees . </P> <P> Rooney scored his first goal of the 2003--04 season in a 2--2 away draw against Charlton Athletic on 26 August 2003 . He did not find the net again until December when he scored in a 2--1 away win over Portsmouth, and a 3--2 home win over Leicester City . His final goal of 2003 came on his 50th league appearance, netting in a 1--0 home win over Birmingham City on 28 December . On 21 February 2004, Rooney scored two goals in a Premier League game for the first time in a 3--3 away draw against Southampton . He scored the sole goal in a 1--0 win over Portsmouth on 13 March, before scoring in a 1--1 away draw against Leicester City one week later . He scored his final goal of the season in a 1--1 away draw against Leeds United on 13 April . </P> <P> Rooney submitted a transfer request in August 2004, despite Everton having made a new contract offer valued at £ 50,000 per week . Everton then rejected a bid of £ 20 million from Newcastle, and ultimately signed for Manchester United at the end of the month after a £ 25.6 million deal was reached . It was the highest fee ever paid for a player under 20 years old; Rooney was still only 18 when he left Everton . Sir Alex Ferguson, then manager of United, said that "There were plenty of eyebrows raised" when he persuaded the club's board of directors to sanction "a multi-million pound" move to try to sign Rooney from Everton . </P> <P> Rooney was given the number 8 shirt upon his arrival at Old Trafford . He made his United debut on 28 September in a 6--2 home win over Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League, scoring a hat - trick and laying on an assist . These goals made Rooney the youngest player to score a hat - trick in the Champions League aged 18 years 335 days . His first season with Manchester United, however, ended without winning a trophy as they could only manage a third - place finish in the league, and failed to progress to the last eight of the Champions League . United had more success in the cup competitions, but were edged out of the League Cup in the semi-finals by a Chelsea side who also won the Premier League title that season, and a goalless draw with Arsenal in the FA Cup final was followed by a penalty shoot - out defeat . Rooney was United's top league scorer that season with 11 goals, and was credited with the PFA Young Player of the Year award . </P>

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