The 19-year-old England striker stunned goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer with a fantastic lob from nearly 40 yards and then drew comparisons with Marco van Basten after his second goal, a stunning full-blooded volley into the top corner.

The double blast earned Rooney his second Lion of the Weekend nomination of the season, just one behind joint-leaders Stewart Downing and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

England’s 1982 World Cup captain Mick Mills, one of TheFA.com’s panel of judges, said: "Any football fan apart from possibly Middlesbrough supporters would have got up to applaud those goals.

"He already seems to have been around for so long, it is hard to think Rooney is still only a teenager. I am sure other countries look at him and are jealous that he is English."

Rooney’s contribution helped Manchester United reach the last 16 of the FA Cup with a 3-0 win on Saturday.

He latched onto a pass from Gary Neville to loft his finish over Schwarzer early in the second half and completed his incredible double with a meaty right-foot volley in the closing minutes.

Rooney himself says the two goals are among the best he has ever scored.

Lion of the Season - Total nominations so far

Stewart Downing 3 (08 Nov, 18 Oct, 04 Oct)
Shaun Wright-Phillips 3 (25 Oct, 16 Aug, 22 Nov)

Michael Owen 2 (01 Nov, 30 Aug)
John Terry 2 (29 Nov, 13 Dec)
Alan Smith 2 (23 Aug, 04 Jan)
Frank Lampard 2 (06 Dec, 17 Jan)
Wayne Rooney 2 (15 Nov, 31 Jan)

Ashley Cole 1 (27 Sept)
Rio Ferdinand 1 (11 Oct)
Ledley King 1 (20 Sept)
Steven Gerrard 1 (06 Sept)
David James 1 (13 Sept)
Jermain Defoe 1 (20 Dec)
Darren Carter 1 (10 Jan)
Dean Ashton 1 (24 Jan)

* Every Monday TheFA.com announces the outstanding England player from the weekend’s matches, selected with the help of a former England international.

Lion of the Weekend is chosen by five former England internationals: Alan Mullery, Russell Osman, Mick Mills, Malcolm Macdonald and Paul Parker.

The player with the most votes at the end of the season will be crowned "Lion of the Season".