Since we're being picky, "never" is a strong word. Quote from wiki;
Rooney joined Everton at age nine,[29] and was the Everton mascot for the Merseyside derby against Liverpool as an 11-year-old.[30] In the 1995–96 season he scored 114 goals in 29 games for Everton's under-10s and 11s,[31]
114 goals in 29 games seems pretty ******* prolific to me, to say "never" is a stretch.
However, his freedom has unlocked a whole new side of his game. If you cant see that he's a much better player this year than previous years, you're watching the wrong team. Sure he's scored more previously, but scoring doesn't always mean your progressing substantially as a player. For instance, although lewandowski is hitting a serious wave of momentum, look at his goals against madrid.
one was a toe poke from a pinpoint cross, one was a penalty, and one was a simple turn and shot. which 99% of strikers can do. Sure he scored 4, and that's something in itself, but for me it's the whole package that makes a player and not just hitting the net.