Rooney fell out with Sir Alex because of positional change
WAYNE ROONEY has revealed that his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson broke down because he was forced to play out of position at Manchester United.
The England striker, preparing for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley, admitted he was ‘disappointed’ to lose his place as a striker at Old Trafford.
Ferguson is on record claiming Rooney handed in a transfer request at a training ground meeting before his final home game in charge of the club against Swansea. Rooney has always denied this, but there are expected to be further revelations about their relationship when Ferguson’s autobiography is released on October 23.
Rooney said: ‘I didn’t feel like I got a consistent run of games up front.
‘I felt when I played in midfield I did OK, but I didn’t want to play there. Everyone at the club knew that’s where I wanted to play (in attack) and I think that’s why I was disappointed because I got told to play in midfield and I didn’t want to.
‘But I’d always go in and try to help the team so there had to come a point where, for my own career, I had to be a bit selfish really.
‘In the past I’ve had no problem playing out of position, but I felt I deserved to play in my position and that wasn’t happening.
‘Naturally I was disappointed and maybe that affected some of the games I played. Maybe when I’m a bit older, losing my legs a bit, I can go back there.’
Rooney played in six different outfield positions last season and was named substitute f or the Champions League second round, second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford. He lost his guaranteed starting place to Robin van Persie after the Dutchman’s arrival from Arsenal in the summer, but has been rejuvenated under David Moyes.
Rooney, who has scored five times already this season, claims talks with United over his future are continuing following the acrimony over the summer.
‘ There’s been a l ot of stuff happening, but I’ve spoken to the people who matter at the club and we’ve known ourselves what we’re doing,’ he said.
‘I’m not going to go around saying I wanted to stay or I wanted to leave. I’ll concentrate on my football and see what happens after that.
‘You can see I’m playing and I’m happy in my football. I’ll have more discussions with the club. I just want to prove what a good player I am.’
Chelsea wanted to sign him in the summer, but United refused to sell to a direct rival. Rooney, 28 later this month, added: ‘ David Moyes has come in and he’s playing me up front and I’m enjoying it.
‘I’ve been really happy all summer. From the outside looking in it might not seem like it, but I’ve been settled. My wife has a new child and I’ve been focused and I’m just delighted to be playing injury-free and fit.’
United’s players are still getting used to Moyes’ methods and Rooney revealed there is a new fitness regime.
‘We’ve done a lot of different types of training — more longer running, quicker r unning and sharper running and I feel that’s really benefited me.
‘I feel as fit as I’ve ever done. I had a couple of injuries in pre-season, but I feel great and in good shape.’
Good enough to believe he can become the first England player to hit the 50-goal mark as he turns his attention to the vital double header with Montenegro tomorrow and Poland on Tuesday.
Rooney has 36 goals for his country: four behind Michael Owen, eight behind Jimmy Greaves, 12 behind Gary Lineker and 13 behind Sir Bobby Charlton, who tops the all-time chart with 49.
‘I can be the first to 50,’ he said. ‘I’ve been scoring for England but I’m a bit disappointed with my record. I should have scored more.’