Wayne Rooney has enjoyed some memorable moments at the Boleyn Ground during his career, so could the Manchester United forward once again deliver in the final match to be played at the famous old stadium?

The sight of Wayne Rooney warming up on the touchline at last month's FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Boleyn Ground would certainly have filled Slaven Bilic with a feeling of unease.

"I would rather him not play, put it that way. 100 per cent, 70 per cent fit, I would rather him watch the game," the West Ham manager said of Rooney ahead of that match.

There was good reason for Bilic's comment. No player has scored more for United against West Ham than Rooney - 12 goals in 17 matches to be precise.

As it turned out, Rooney's return to action from a knee injury as an 89th-minute substitute was understandably uneventful for him, something out of keeping from his previous visits to east London.

The United skipper has certainly enjoyed his previous trips down south to face West Ham and can look back at a catalogue of extraordinary goalscoring and match-turning moments. But his first memorable outing at the Boleyn did not come for United, or even for Everton, it came in an England shirt in February 2003.

England debut

Rooney, a then precocious 17-year-old, had announced himself to the footballing world five months earlier by scoring a stunning last-minute winner for Everton against Arsenal. From that moment on, Rooney continued to make waves in the Premier League and was rewarded for his breakthrough campaign by being named in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England squad for the friendly clash against Australia.

England played the match in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Boleyn Ground as a consequence of the Football Association taking the Three Lions on a tour around the country during the construction of the new Wembley Stadium.

Rooney started his England career at the Boleyn Ground, impressing in the defeat to Australia

The 34,950 in attendance would scarcely have thought they were about to witness the debut of a future England captain, but there was no doubting Rooney's promise as he emerged from the tunnel as a second-half substitute to become the Three Lions' youngest senior international (later superseded by a 16-year-old Theo Walcott in 2006).

Rooney's debut appearance and performance provided a bright note on an otherwise poor evening for England as they slumped to a surprise 3-1 defeat. His involvement in the build-up to England's goal, scored by former Everton forward Francis Jeffers, was also a precursor of the influence he would have on the national team for the next 13 years.

Best tribute

Rooney would return to the Boleyn Ground two years later as a United player, and have an even greater influence on the outcome of the result. The forward, who had switched to Old Trafford in a big-money move in August 2004, was in the embryonic stages of becoming a United great, but as the Red Devils prepared to face West Ham on November 27, 2005, they were a club in mourning.

The legendary George Best - a scorer of 181 United goals and a member of the 1968 European Cup winning team - had passed away at the age of 59 two days prior to the match between West Ham and United, and his memory was honoured by an immaculately observed minute's applause.

Manchester United pay their respects to club legend George Best

But with United 1-0 down and reeling after a dominant West Ham performance in the first-half, it was left to Rooney to provide the spark for a second-half turnaround.

Showing composure beyond his young age, Rooney cut inside Hammers defender Danny Gabbidon before placing his shot through the legs of Roy Carroll. United were back in the game thanks to Rooney and they would go on to secure a 2-1 victory, with Rooney dedicating his goal and man of the match performance to the memory of Best.

Rooney was once again on target at the Boleyn in late 2009 as United claimed an emphatic 4-0 victory, but better was to come for him 18 months later.

Hat-trick hero

On April 2, 2011, United sat five points clear at the top of the Premier League as they arrived in east London for a lunchtime kick-off. They were expected to pick up all three points against their relegation-threatened opponents and continue their charge towards a 19th league crown. But at half-time, United found themselves 2-0 down and on course for a shock defeat. United needed a big performance. Rooney was the man to provide it.

With 25 minutes remaining, United were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal. It was within range. A sense of inevitability swept around the home support as Rooney grabbed the ball, placed it down and looked towards goal.

Their sense was right. An unstoppable curling shot beat the despairing Robert Green, nestled in the back of the net and gave United hope that another famous comeback was on the cards.

Rooney celebrates bringing United level against West Ham

It was not long before another piece of Rooney brilliance brought them level. An exquisite first touch saw him evade not one but two West Ham defenders before firing his shot into the bottom corner. It was Rooney at his brilliant best - power and precision.

He completed a 14-minute hat-trick from the penalty spot, before Javier Hernandez netted a late fourth to put the finishing touches on a sensational comeback win. United would not look back and went on to secure the Premier League title, with Rooney's brilliant hat-trick a highlight of that season.

50-yard strike

Rooney would return to the Boleyn three years later and again produce the goods, scoring arguably one of the greatest goals of his career.

But the 2013/14 season was not one of success for United, far from it. A failure to adapt under Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, David Moyes, had seen United suffer their worst Premier League season in their history.

Moyes would eventually pay the price for United's failings, but he was still in the dugout to witness a moment of magic from Rooney in late March.

Nothing appeared to be on for United when Ashley Young hooked a hopeful clearance forward. But having shrugged off the challenge of James Tomkins, Rooney launched an audacious effort from 50-yards out after spotting West Ham goalkeeper Adrian off his line.

Rooney produces an incredible strike from 50-yards out to set United on their way to victory

It proved to be a stroke of genius from Rooney, with his attempt looping over Adrian and into the back of the net. The home support, now accustomed to moments of brilliance from the England skipper, could only applaud.

The goal also drew a smile from David Beckham, a spectator at the Boleyn, given the similarity to his famous strike from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996.

Rooney would go on to double his tally, tapping in from close range, to clinch a 2-0 win for United and provide the travelling support with a rare moment of cheer in a disappointing season.

With a top-four spot still up for grabs in 2015/16, United will be hoping for another vintage performance from their captain at the Boleyn. Over to you, Wayne…