Wayne Rooney angled for a transfer on several occasions during his Premier League career.
Wayne Rooney believes “it is difficult” for Alexander Isak to stay at Newcastle United given the fan fury to his actions.
And in a passionate message to Toon supporters, the Premier League legend urged them not to turn up at Isak’s house. Rooney felt the wrath of Manchester United fans in 2010 after announcing his desire to leave.
A turbulent few weeks saw the former England star question the club’s ability to attract top players - before swiftly penning a contract extension. Fast forward to the present and Isak - arguably the division’s best striker - is currently angling for a Newcastle exit.
Wayne Rooney sends Newcastle United message
For now, hostilities towards Isak have remained constructive and fair, with fans feeling let down by the wantaway striker. Rooney weighed in on the transfer saga that is dominating the summer news agenda.
“It is tough (dealing with fan anger),” he told BBC Sport. “We had a group of lads outside my house in balaclavas at 3am in the morning.
"It is scary. Coleen was sat up feeding Kai and she woke me up, phoned the police and I went down. What they didn't know was that I was going in the next morning to sign a new deal.
"I went down to say 'What are you doing at this time in the morning? It is not right'. I think that they thought coming to my house made me sign my new deal! If you have frustration, then there's banter, and fans will have a go at players on the pitch, but sometimes it goes too far. Turning up at players' houses, I think that is wrong."
Wayne Rooney on Alexander Isak
"Isak is a top player," he added. "It is very difficult for him to stay at Newcastle - I have seen a lot of things with the club's fans saying he has gone about it the wrong way.
"You don't know what they are saying at board level but you imagine they would want him to stay, because for Newcastle to lose Isak when they are trying to build and try and form a squad to challenge for the league - it is a big loss for them.
"The difference now - with all the financial fair play and PSR - for Newcastle it might benefit them to sell him to free up money, bring more players in and actually make the squad a little bit stronger.
"For Isak as well it is an opportunity to join Liverpool, who have just won the Premier League. It is such a huge opportunity for him.”
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‘Not healthy’ - Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe has admitted the Isak situation hampered Newcastle’s pre-season preparations. He said: "I don't think it's been healthy for us. I don't deny that's been a big challenge. Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world - if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap.
"I think morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season. There was nothing I could do to affect that - it was always going to be there. When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it's difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what's going on and how to react.
"But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance that this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That's always been my train of thought.
"Whatever situation you're in, you have got to find a way and you can only control what you can control. We have moved forward and I've got to say the atmosphere of the group has been very good in the last couple of weeks."
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