Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney insisted that he holds fond memories of one major accomplishment in his remarkable spell at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney is widely regarded as one of the best Premier League strikers of all time and he had a sensational impact during his time at the Red Devils.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson brought Rooney to Old Trafford in 2004 after he was signed from Everton in a deal worth £27m.
Rooney made his mark at the Premier League club and the former Red Devils striker went on to become United’s all-time leading scorer by eclipsing Sir Bobby Charlton.
The 39-year-old United legend scored an impressive 253 times in 559 appearances for the Red Devils and hoovered up major silverware at Old Trafford.
During his time with United, Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups.
Rooney continued playing at United after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 and later became Red Devils captain under former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal.
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Wayne Rooney looks on ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C...
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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Rooney on one important Man Utd feat
Wayne Rooney left Old Trafford in 2017 and the former Manchester United and England striker returned to Everton for a brief second spell with his boyhood club.
The former England captain went on to play for DC United and Derby County before he called it time on his legendary playing career in 2021.
Rooney wasted no time entering the world of coaching and management after he hung up his boots, but his managerial run has suffered major setbacks.
The United legend left Plymouth Argyle as head coach in late 2024 and has been without a club since the end of his ill-fated spell at Home Park.
Rooney made his Amazon Prime Video debut on Tuesday evening as a pundit for the Champions League match between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Speaking ahead of the first-leg playoff round at the Etihad, Rooney was asked where his Champions League win would rank among his achievements in his career.
“Yeah, it’s right up there, obviously,” he said.
“To play in the biggest tournament and to win the Champions League against Chelsea as well – up against another English team – was extra special.
“But it’s memories, you know, looking back there. It’s memories you have with some really good friends, some good teammates and certainly a good celebration.”
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Rooney on Champions League final win
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men lifted the Champions League trophy in 2008 with a penalty shootout win over Premier League rivals Chelsea in Moscow.
Speaking on the UTD Podcast in 2020, Rooney opened up about the most “important thing” he did not do ahead of the Champions League final.
“Less so because we knew Chelsea inside out so there was less than if it was a foreign team,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“You’d be looking at video clips of teams usually. Of course, you’d know the [European] players but you wouldn’t know them as well as you knew the Chelsea lads.
“We knew what to expect with Chelsea and I knew their defenders’ strengths and weaknesses inside out as well.
“The important thing [on matchday] is not to let your mind wander and the big thing I have, still to this day, is I never think about winning the game.
“I’m always thinking about what happens if we lose and that fear of losing the game. It’s more about me trying to control that.”