Manchester United and England icon Wayne Rooney has dropped an eye-opening admission about an important chapter in his post-Old Trafford playing career.
The 40-year-old legendary former Manchester United star is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in Premier League history after his prolific time on the pitch.
Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene at Everton under David Moyes and the United icon would be brought to Old Trafford under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The United legend arrived at the Red Devils at the age of 18 and the Premier League club landed Rooney from boyhood club Everton in a deal worth £27m in 2004.
Rooney enjoyed an illustrious period under Sir Alex Ferguson and continued his Old Trafford playing spell long after the iconic former United manager’s retirement.
England legend Wayne Rooney shares a life-changing detail from his Man Utd transfer from Everton
Wayne Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, a Europa League, three League Cups and an FA Cup with Manchester United.
The former United captain’s time at the Premier League club came to an end in 2017 and Rooney returned to Liverpool for a brief second spell with boyhood side Everton.
The tail end of Rooney’s legendary playing career saw him spend time with both DC United and Derby County before he announced his retirement from football in 2021.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, United’s all-time leading scorer was asked if he ever felt his life would turn out the way that it ultimately did.
Rooney admitted that one all-important detail that stood out for him was the fact that he had lived in Manchester for as long as he had instead of being in Liverpool.
“No, because you never know, do you?” Rooney responded.
“And then obviously [you] have kids and like even if you said to me you’re going to live up Manchester that long, I would say there’s no chance.
“Or I’d say when I finish playing for Man United, I’d go back and live in Liverpool.”
Wayne Rooney explains why he wants to remain in Manchester instead of returning to Liverpool
Rooney entered the world of coaching in the immediate aftermath of his illustrious playing career, but the ex-Red Devils skipper has faced setbacks in his ambitions.
The former United striker has now suggested that it would be unlikely for him to return to Liverpool in the near future due to the situation with his family dynamic.
“But obviously with the kids and schools and stuff and it changes and then you have friendships there and stuff,” Rooney added.
“I wouldn’t move now. So yeah, it’s just life happens to all of us.”
Rooney, who has become a key pundit for the BBC in recent months, has been out of the dugout since his ill-fated spell with Plymouth Argyle ended with his sacking in 2024.
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