Best overhead kick goals ranked as Man Utd’s Alejandro Garnacho joins top eight

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    Manchester United fans won't forget Alejandro Garnacho's overhead heroics at Everton in a hurry after he set the side on a path to victory on Sunday.

    The Argentina international's opener has been likened to other greats of the game, but just where does his truly rank among the sport's best bicycle finishes of all time? Daily Star Sport has taken the task of deciding just that, so you don't have to.

    A number of factors make up what makes a great overhead kick, such as distance from goal, quality of connection, the height of a player's leap and difficulty rating. The occasion has also been taken into account deciding on the pecking order, but the finish itself is ultimately what's being judged.

    8. Philippe Mexes vs. Anderlecht

    It's not every day one sees an overhead kick scored from outside the box. It's even rare that it should be a centre-back pulling off such a manoeuvre.

    Former AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes caught everyone off guard during a Champions League clash against Anderlecht in 2012. Maximum marks for improvisation after his initial attempt to chest the ball seemed to go somewhat awry.

    READ MORE: Erik ten Hag plays down Ronaldo and Rooney comparisons for new hero Alejandro Garnacho

    READ MORE: Alejandro Garnacho's bicycle goal is 'best ever' and 'better than Rooney's', says Neville

    7. Wayne Rooney vs. Manchester City

    Joe Hart never stood a chance of keeping Wayne Rooney's shinned overhead out of his net once the United icon had made contact, rescuing Nani's deflected cross in 2011 to net one of the Manchester Derby's most famous goals. The connection was far from perfect, but the arc into the top-right corner could hardly have been more pinpoint if he's had 99 more attempts.

    The adjustment and significance of the strike are all major pluses given Rooney's rotation secured a late 2-1 derby win over Man City at Old Trafford. It's the most minor of complaints to highlight Rooney's unclean connection working against him here, but then the margins are incredibly close in a ranking as hallowed as this.

    Who has scored football's greatest overhead kick in your opinion? Let us know in the comments section below.

    6. Alejandro Garnacho vs. Everton

    And coming in just ahead of the Old Trafford legend is the man of the moment and one seemingly building his own legacy at the Theatre of Dreams. However, it was the Goodison faithful who got to witness Sunday's wizardry up close and personal.

    Most of us would pull a groin and hamstring simultaneously attempting what Garnacho pulled off on Merseyside, but the acrobatics and ingenuity involved meant he made it look almost routine. The fact Jordan Pickford had time to scramble in an effort to save the hit but was still lobbed is evidence as to just how good Garnacho's strike was, but there remain at least a few other efforts that tick more boxes overall.

    5. Trevor Sinclair vs. Barnsley

    One of which was scored by Queen's Park Rangers icon Trevor Sinclair, whose FA Cup effort against Barnsley in 1997 earned him Match of the Day's Goal of the Season award. And it's hard to complain with that conclusion given the aplomb with which he pulled off one of English football's most audacious finishes of all time.

    Twenty yards out from goal and running towards his own net to get on the end of the cross, Sinclair somehow managed to generate enough power to make fans question whether he could be the answer to renewable energy.

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    4. Marco van Basten vs. Den Bosch

    While there are undoubtedly other entries in this countdown with more at stake than an Eredivisie battle between Ajax and Den Bosch in November, Marco van Basten didn't let that keep him from producing wonders. The Dutch icon's game was largely based around power in its different guises, and few finishes will sum that up better than this 1986 marvel.

    In short, three-time Ballon d'Or-winner Van Basten's hit may just be the best ever when judging sheer connection, taking into account the balls of the 1980s wouldn't match up with those of today when it comes to helping players land a better strike. The camera angle perfectly captures the combination of power, accuracy and a beautiful bend, which dinks in delightfully off the post for good measure.

    3. Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Juventus

    The most aesthetically beautiful overhead kick that was ever converted. Cristiano Ronaldo's sprint back and chop could have cut down a tree if one were put in his path, such was the strength of his scissored strike to send Juventus spiralling at home.

    It's saying a lot that this effort in the 2018 Champions League quarter-finals might just be the best of Ronaldo's 451 goals as a Real Madrid player. And Juve must have been mightily impressed themselves after they moved mountains to sign the five-time Ballon d'Or-winner later the same year.

    2. Gareth Bale vs. Liverpool

    And Ronaldo's might even be considered the best in Champions League history were it not for a certain team-mate one-upping him barely one month later. That honour goes to Gareth Bale, whose whirlwind wonder helped deliver Real their third consecutive European crown with triumph over Liverpool.

    While Ronaldo's might have the edge in visuals, Bale's is that much more impressive given Marcelo's cross on his weaker foot had no right being turned into the back of Loris Karius' net. And all that after being turfed out by the Spanish media for much of his time in Madrid.

    Performances on the big stage don't get a lot better.

    1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. England

    If there's anyone to whom you don't want to give a sniff at an open goal, it's Zlatan Ibrahimovic. And no, it doesn't matter if he's 30 yards out running away from said net.

    Sweden signed off a 4-2 friendly win over England in style thanks to Ibrahimovic's volley of four goals – taking the last one quite literally. The xG (Expected Goals) figure on said strike must be minuscule given his distance, complete lack of sight on goal and the fact there are still defenders with a chance of blocking, but 'Ibra' always has liked a challenge.

    • Manchester United FC
    • Premier League
    • Everton FC
    • Champions League
    • Wayne Rooney
    • England Football Team
    • AC Milan FC
    • Eredivisie
    • Real Madrid FC
    • Liverpool FC
    • Juventus FC

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