Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney admits he ‘hated’ one thing in his legendary playing career, he still committed to it

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Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney has opened up one aspect in his legendary playing career that he did not enjoy for one minute.

Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene at Everton before legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford.

Signed from Everton in a deal worth £27m in 2004, the 38-year-old former England striker went on to enjoy incredible success at the Red Devils.

Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups during his time at United.

The former United and Everton star also eclipsed club legend Sir Bobby Charlton by becoming the Red Devils’ all-time leading scorer.

Rooney’s career at Old Trafford continued long after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with the United legend later becoming club captain under Louis van Gaal.

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Rooney opens up on deep dislike

Wayne Rooney left Manchester United in 2017 and returned to boyhood club Everton for a brief second spell at Goodison Park.

The former Toffees striker went on to play for DC United and Derby County before he called it time on his legendary playing career in 2021.

Rooney has since entered the world of coaching and management after retiring as a player, with the United legend currently in charge of Plymouth Argyle.

Speaking on the latest Stick to Football episode, Rooney admitted that he ‘hated’ pre-season in his career and would come back “overweight” every time.

“I used to hate pre-season,” he said on The Overlap.

“I’d come back every pre-season six to seven pounds overweight. So, I knew I had to put the work in.”

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How Rooney solved pre-season hatred

Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who is a regular on the Stick to Football panel, was stunned by Rooney’s admission that he didn’t train at all during the break.

Rooney admitted that he took drastic action to prepare himself for pre-season, including using an exercise bike in the steam room before he returned.

The former United and England captain also revealed that he wouldn’t eat or drink in a bid to cut the weight ahead of the pre-season.

“I used to take the [exercise] bike in the steam room the day before we were back in,” Rooney added.

“Honestly, the night before we had to get weighed, I’d sit in there for 90 minutes fully clothed.

“I wouldn’t eat a thing; I wouldn’t drink a thing.”