Wayne Rooney has recalled how Manchester United players were dancing in the dressing room the day after Liverpool's 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford in March 2014 — a moment he says summed up the loss of control during David Moyes' troubled reign
Amie Wilson Sports Writer
23:53, 02 May 2026
Liverpool thumped Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in 2014
Liverpool thumped Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in 2014(Image: Getty Images)
The latest installment of Manchester United's rivalry with Liverpool unfolds this weekend.
The two sides clash at Old Trafford on Sunday in what is expected to be a fascinating contest. Going into the game, United occupies third spot in the Premier League standings, with Liverpool sitting one place and three points adrift. While both teams appear destined for Champions League qualification next season, more than just points are at stake in this encounter.
The fierce rivalry between these clubs means the victor claims bragging rights. From 207 previous meetings, United has triumphed 81 times and Liverpool 67, with 59 matches ending all square.
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In March 2014, Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool players emerged as 3-0 victors over David Moyes' United. Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez netted the goals that secured the triumph.
The match formed part of a disappointing spell at Old Trafford for Moyes, who was eventually dismissed just over five weeks afterward. The manager had been charged with succeeding the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout.
That transition failed to materialize as hoped, and Wayne Rooney believes an incident in the days following the Liverpool defeat encapsulates that era.
Wayne Rooney was shocked at how Manchester United's players reacted to Liverpool's big win
Wayne Rooney was shocked at how Manchester United's players reacted to Liverpool's big win(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking on the Overlap's 'Stick to Football,' Rooney reflected on that tumultuous period. "Firstly, we were losing the core of the team, really," he said. "Giggsy (Ryan Giggs), Rio (Ferdinand), (Nemanja) Vidic, they were all on their last legs basically. We were losing that presence in the dressing room.
"There was literally me and Michael Carrick left still playing from that generation. Then you're getting the likes of Jesse Lingard coming through, and (Danny) Welbeck, (Tom) Cleverley. They've had good careers, but it was never the same.
"Football was changing. The behavior of players. Of course, we'd misbehave or go out do whatever, but I think everything was changing around football, and I think that was a big time.
"I always remember coming in after the Liverpool game when we got beat (in 2014). Lads were coming in, dancing around the dressing room the next day, hip hop music on.
"I remember taking the music out. You can try to control as much as possible, but in the end, you can't really."
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When Gary Neville enquired whether that incident was the viral moment involving Paul Pogba, posted by Jesse Lingard on social media, Rooney responded: "That was another one after that! You look at it. and you just think it's... (shrugs)."
Following Moyes' departure, United has cycled through numerous managers, both permanent and caretaker. Carrick currently occupies the dugout, having succeeded Ruben Amorim in January.
Under his stewardship across 13 fixtures, United has secured nine victories, drawn twice and suffered two defeats. This impressive record has sparked suggestions that the former midfielder should be appointed permanently this summer.