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MANCHESTER UNITED v Fenerbahce, 2004 The England striker's debut for Manchester United had been delayed following injury at Euro 2004, but it was well worth the wait. It was in the Champions League that the Old Trafford crowd got their first look at the 18-year-old as he scored an unforgettable hat-trick in a 6-2 thrashing of Fenerbahce.
Liverpool v LEEDS, 1998 Local lad Alan Smith made the dream debut after coming through the ranks at Elland Road. Leeds were 1-0 down at Anfield but with his very first touch of the ball, Smith silenced the Kop. It was the catalyst for his side to spark into action as they went on to win 3-1.
AC MILAN v Napoli, 2008 After the Rossoneri had paid £15m for an unproven 17-year-old, the pressure surrounding his debut was palpable, but the Brazilian was to live up to his billing. A lively performance full of tricks was capped with a cooly taken goal in a 5-2 victory.
FRANCE v Czech Republic, 1994 The now legendary Zidane was something of an unknown when he made his international debut. Coming off the bench, 'Zizou' skipped through the Czech defence before scoring a 25-yard pile-driver. He then salvaged a draw for Le Bleus with a towering header. Zidane had announced his arrival.
EVERTON v Newcastle, 1988 Certainly one of the fastest debut goals. Everton shelled out £2m, making Cottee Britain's most expensive player, and he started repaying it straight away. It took him 34 seconds to get on the score-sheet before netting twice more in a 4-0 opening day win.
RANGERS v FC Haka, 1999 Making his debut for Rangers in a tricky Champions League qualifier, the Dutchman stole the show. Running the game by dropping into midfield and scoring two goals made his £4m price tag look like a steal as Rangers ran out 4-1 winners.
MIDDLESBROUGH v Liverpool, 1996 Ravenelli was one of a string of big names and exciting foreign signings that made Middlesbrough seem like one of most glamorous places in the country. And on his debut the 'White Feather' wasn't to disappoint the expectant crowd as he bagged a hat-trick against Liverpool.
INTER MILAN v Brescia, 1997 All eyes were on one man for Inter's first match of the new season. Ronaldo had joined the club over the summer from Barcelona and the Nerazzurri were eager to see what the fuss was about for themselves. Yet by the end of the match, the San Siro was alive with talk about someone else. Recoba, who had also been signed over the summer, came off the bench to score twice in the last ten minutes and turn the match in Inter's favour. The first was a thirty-yard screamer and the second a long range free-kick.
Various Jimmy Greaves made a habit of scoring on his debut. At just 17 he netted for Chelsea and repeated the feat two years later on his international debut against Peru. During his short stint at AC Milan he scored in his first match and on returning to England with Tottenham in 1961 bagged a hat-trick. The fine goalscorer made it five in a row when he scored two on his West Ham debut.
SOUTHAMPTON v Arsenal, 1988 The highest goal scorer in Premier League history announced himself to the world with three goals on his full debut for Southampton. With it, he became the youngest player - at 17 years 240 days - to score a hat-trick in the top division, breaking the record set by Jimmy Greaves 30 years previously. Shearer also scored on his debuts for England and Blackburn.
Following his £38m move to Manchester City, Sergio Aguero announced his arrival in stunning fashion last night.
>>Click on the image to launch our guide
Coming off the bench in the second half, the Argentine scored twice, the second a 30-yard screamer, as well as creating another for David Silva.
Here, we remember some other debuts that will be remembered for all the right reasons.
Independent
