The former Manchester United and England star, Wayne Rooney, enjoyed a stellar playing career at Old Trafford, winning numerous accolades and individual awards. Over his 13-year tenure with the club, he earned the status of all-time top scorer for United before leaving the club in 2017.
After retiring, Rooney transitioned into management, although this new chapter has had its challenges, as evidenced by his recent dismissal from the managerial position at Championship club Birmingham City. Recently, Rooney disclosed details that soured his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Manchester United.
Wayne Rooney reveals what cracked his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson
Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United as an 18-year-old in August 2004 under Sir Alex Ferguson’s regime and secured a then-record transfer fee of £25.6 million from Everton after impressing the legendary manager with his talent. He went on to play nearly a decade under the Scotsman, until 2013.
Despite having worked with Ferguson for many years, their relationship became strained in 2010 when Rooney expressed a desire to leave the club. On the ‘Stick to Football‘ podcast alongside his former teammates, he revealed that his transfer request was the turning point, after which his bond with Sir Alex was never the same.
He revealed, “The club offered me a new five-year deal but then we just sold Tevez, we just sold Ronaldo and I said to the manager, ‘It’s no disrespect to Phil Jones or Chris Smalling they are obviously not going to replace Ronaldo, and Tevez and I just wanted assurances that it wasn’t going to be another transition.”
“I didn’t have the time personally, so I felt it was important to ask the question. Is it going to be a three, four-year transition, or is it going to be we’re going to win trophies now and he told me to get out of his office – so then I got more sense out of David Gill of what the plan was.”
SAF revealed Rooney’s frustrations in his final post-match interview
Despite the transfer request in 2010, born out of frustration, Rooney continued playing for the Red Devils, signing a long-term deal. He even won the league title in Ferguson’s final season. Eventually, Rooney departed Manchester United in 2017, returning to his boyhood club, Everton, as a free agent upon completing his contract.
The legendary manager revealed in his final post-match talk when he took charge of his last game as Manchester United boss.
Sir Alex Ferguson addressed the speculation about Rooney’s desire to exit the team after losing the league to Chelsea and seeing Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
He said, “I don’t think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he’s asked for a transfer. I think he wants to think it through in his mind, I think it’s a good idea. We’re not going to let him go and I think he’s maybe just a little bit frustrated that I’ve taken him off once or twice in the last few weeks.”
