Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney was involved in some of Sir Alex Ferguson’s best sides, including the 2008 Champions League-winning team.
Wayne Rooney left Manchester United in 2017 as the club’s all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals to his name.
The Liverpool-born forward won five Premier League titles, one FA Cup, three League Cups and one Champions League trophy in 2008.
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Amad
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Amad and Bryan Mbeumo celebrate
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Ferguson delivered a legendary team talk for the 2008 Champions League final, and United went on to beat Chelsea via a penalty shootout.
United are now hoping to secure a return to the Champions League for 2026/27 and Michael Carrick’s next challenge is facing current Premier League leaders Arsenal.
FC Internazionale Milano v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7
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Would 2008 Man United beat 2026 Arsenal?
On Sunday, United will come up against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who sit at the top of the Premier League table by seven points and the top of the Champions League standings by six points.
The Gunners are competing on several fronts this season, including in the Champions League where they are looking to win their first European title.
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After Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Inter Milan on Tuesday evening, Rooney was asked how the current Gunners side would fare against 2008 United.
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This was the line-up Michael Carrick used to defeat Arsenal in his spell as interim manager
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Speaking on Amazon Prime Video, Rooney did not mince his words, saying: “We’d batter them.
“I think we would. I have to be honest.”
Rooney scored 18 goals in all competitions in the 2007/08 season, including four in the Champions League en route to lifting the trophy.
Man United can dent Arsenal dominance this weekend
In what has been an incredibly tight Premier League season so far, Arsenal are one of the only top-flight sides showing a level of consistency.
United have already beaten Liverpool and Manchester City this season, and Arsenal were lucky to come away with three points from Old Trafford in the season-opener.
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Arsenal are the only Premier League side that remain unbeaten at home this season, and the Red Devils have a chance to end that record and put a dent in their domestic dominance.
Carrick has beaten Arteta before during his first interim spell in charge of United, and he will hope for a repeat result on Sunday, albeit against a much better Gunners side.
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