Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was instructed off “15 to 20 times a season” for defying Sir Alex Ferguson‘s orders.
Rooney cemented his legacy at Old Trafford from 2004 to 2017, with 9 of these years spent working beneath Fergie. He scored 253 objectives and registered 145 assists for the Red Devils.
But the now 38-year-old slowly transitioned from his centre ahead position to extra of a deep mendacity place because the years glided by, a change which had began to start earlier than Sir Alex left – a lot to the enduring supervisor’s frustrations.
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Rooney’s former United team-mate Gary Neville recalled him being on the receiving finish of a verbal bashing usually for not sticking to the ways given to him.
Neville stated on the Stick to Football podcast: “I bear in mind Sir Alex and Wayne Rooney, in direction of the tip of his Manchester United profession when Wayne began to drop in a bit, and he used to cease turning and operating at folks and stopped operating behind.
Did you favor Rooney up entrance or when he dropped deeper? Let us know your opinion within the feedback part.
(Image: Getty Images)
“He became more of a link player, playing the long passes. That was one of the last things I remember, and Sir Alex must have had a go at Rooney 15 to 20 times a season for the last few seasons about him dropping too deep.
“Sir Alex needed Rooney to remain up entrance and switch at gamers and take the ball on the again foot, as these had been the bits that made him extra of a avenue footballer.”
(Image: PA)
Rooney has admitted his was on the peak of his powers when enjoying up entrance, beforehand highlighting the 2 seasons when he performed as a sole striker as the most effective of his profession.
But he additionally relished the added duty of getting on the ball extra usually, telling Sky Sports in 2022: “I was probably better as a nine but I would often feel like there was more to my game if I dropped deeper.”