Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney was sent off in the Premier League for the first time in five years at the weekend.
It was the seventh occasion that the 28-year-old had received his marching orders during his career for club and country and here, Sports Mole has looked back on each of them.
1. December 26, 2002
On as a substitute, the 17-year-old, who was playing for his boyhood club Everton, went flying into a challenge with Birmingham City defender Steve Vickers after his control had let him down. Referee David Elleray had little hesitation in brandishing a red card, although Toffees boss David Moyes would later insist that the offence only warranted a caution.
2. September 14, 2005
During his officiating career, Kim Milton Nielsen had a reputation as a referee that took no nonsense - just ask David Beckham. Now of United, Rooney sarcastically applauded the Dane's decision to book him during a Champions League tie against Villarreal and he swiftly received a second yellow card.
3. July 1, 2006
Having suffered a broken foot in the weeks leading up to the World Cup, Rooney did everything possible to get himself fit. He was deemed ready to start the quarter-final clash with Portugal, but was dismissed during the second half for stamping on then Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.
4. August 4, 2006
Only a month after he had seen red in Germany, Rooney was off again in United colours. Playing in the Amsterdam Tournament, the striker was adjudged by referee Ruud Bossen to have elbowed Pepe in the face. Despite the fact that it was a pre-season friendly, he received a three-match suspension.
5. March 21, 2009
United had already lost Paul Scholes to an early red card when Rooney was sent for an early bath at Craven Cottage. Having seen his side fall 2-0 behind to the hosts, a frustrated Rooney threw the ball away when referee Phil Dowd informed him that a set piece had been taken from the wrong place. The result? A second yellow card and punched corner flag.
6. October 7, 2011
England were leading Montenegro 2-1 in a qualifier that would seal their participation at Euro 2012 when Rooney had a moment of madness during the second half. Having lost possession, he then proceeded to boot Miodrag Dzudovic and it came as little surprise when he was sent off. He is only the second England player, along with Beckham, to have been red carded twice on international duty.
7. September 27, 2014
Rooney has since admitted that he deserved his most recent dismissal, although his actions were not completely intentional. He did mean to trip up Stewart Downing to prevent the West Ham midfielder from launching a counter-attack, but only succeeded in catching his former England teammate high up on the thigh.
Liam Apicella
