Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Everton and went on to become one of the greatest players in Premier League history
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Wayne Rooney in action for Manchester United vs Middlesbrough
Wayne Rooney has been praised for his calm demeanour at a young age
When Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old prodigy at Everton, many were astounded by his extraordinary talent.
The young striker quickly made a name for himself in football with a memorable late winner for Everton against Arsenal in the Premier League in October 2002, having come up through the club's academy. Rooney's impact was immediate, and he had two standout seasons on Merseyside, along with an impressive Euro 2004 campaign with England, before moving to Manchester United.
At United, Rooney won five Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League trophy, becoming the club's all-time leading goal scorer. Towards the end of his career, he returned to Everton before hanging up his boots in 2021 and transitioning into management with Derby County, D. C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle.
It's been over 22 years since Rooney stunned everyone at Goodison Park with that spectacular goal against Arsenal. One individual who wasn't surprised by Rooney's audacious finish that day was former Everton physio Mick Rathbone, who had a front-row seat to his behind-the-scenes persona.
The ex-Birmingham, Blackburn and Preston defender shed light on the qualities that meant Rooney would be a success at United in his memoir, The Smell of Football.
Rathbone, whose son Ollie began his youth career with United and now plies his trade for Wrexham, wrote: "I have had so many high spots in my career, but being able to say I worked with Wayne is probably the top one. Everybody knows about him as a player, but I was lucky enough to know him as a lad.
Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring for Everton
A former colleague of Wayne Rooney's at Everton has lifted the lid on what he was like as a youngster
"He is a very modest, polite young man, always courteous, always on time, hard-working, very bright and switched on. What sets these once-in-a-generation players apart from the rest?
"Obviously, much of it is natural ability and athleticism but lots of players are talented and athletic. With Wayne it was those things and - contrary to what many people think - the most incredible, unflappable temperament."
Rathbone recalled first noticing the striker's serene attitude before his inaugural Merseyside derby at Goodison Park in April 2003, contrasting the youngster's ease with his own nerves.
Rathbone said: "I remember about 30 minutes before...he came into the medical room and started juggling the ball and generally larking about. He was laughing and clowning around. I couldn't believe how relaxed he was.
"I was sh*****g myself, as you would no doubt expect, even though I was only the physio, because the Merseyside derby is a big, big game.
"I was fascinated to get an insight into how he really felt, remembering when I was 17 years of age and about to cross the white line. That was it then, in a nutshell. Born to be great, born to play at the highest level."
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