Wayne Rooney was wanted by Chelsea before moving to Manchester United – and ultimately going on to become a Premier League legend at Old Trafford
The Manchester United team during the 2005 FA Cup final
Wayne Rooney became a Manchester United icon(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Wayne Rooney has revealed that his career could have started in very different colours, admitting he was wanted by Chelsea before Manchester United stepped in to secure his signature. Born in Liverpool and emerging as Everton’s brightest academy talent, Rooney ultimately became a defining figure at Old Trafford, where he cemented his legacy as one of the Premier League’s greatest-ever forwards. His tally of 208 goals remains the third-highest in the competition’s history.
But the now-40-year-old has reflected on how easily his journey might have taken a different direction. Speaking to NBC Sports, Rooney explained Chelsea's plan for him during his teenage years.
He said: "Everton wanted to sell me to Chelsea, and then Chelsea wanted to send me on loan to Middlesbrough, but I had no intention of signing for Chelsea."
At the time, Rooney was the most sought-after young player in English football. Everton attempted to keep him by offering a £50,000-per-week deal – the most lucrative contract they had ever proposed.
Newcastle United also made a serious attempt to land the teenager, tabling a £20million bid that Everton rejected. David Moyes insisted that he would only let Rooney go for the right price.
United were the side willing to meet that valuation, submitting a base £20m offer with up to £7m in add-ons. It was a package that made Rooney the most expensive teenage signing in world football at the time and marked an impressive fee for an 18-year-old.
Sir Alex Ferguson was unafraid to back youth, and United’s conviction in Rooney underlined how highly they rated his potential.
Rooney’s decision to turn down Chelsea looked to make footballing sense. Man United proposed a route into a side competing for trophies and playing on Europe’s biggest stages rather than a temporary loan move that may have stalled his development.
United already had established attacking options with Ruud van Nistelrooy notably up front. What could have been key for Rooney is the club offered first-team minutes – something Chelsea were not putting up for the young striker.
Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson of Manchester United in action during a first team training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League match against Lille at the Stade de France on November 1 2005, in Paris, France.
Sir Alex Ferguson spearheaded the Wayne Rooney deal(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
The move paid off for Rooney. He became the frontman for United’s attack for a decade-plus, finishing his United career as the club’s leading goalscorer across all competitions and collecting a remarkable haul of trophies in the process.
His decision to join United gave Ferguson a talisman around whom he could build his squad, and it allowed Rooney to fulfil the potential that he had shown at Goodison Park.
Signing young players is now key to many clubs' transfer philosophy. Ruben Amorim's first signing as manager of Man United was 18-year-old Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.
Chelsea is known within football to sign young players and send them out on loan to develop their talents before returning to Stamford Bridge, where they can then be used by Enzo Maresca.
In regard to Man United's current squad, they look to be pushing for a European spot this season, having missed out on one last year due to losing the Europa League final.