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  • Rooney reveals he was ‘ready’ to leave Man Utd for Barcelona or Real Madrid

    Rooney reveals he was ‘ready’ to leave Man Utd for Barcelona or Real Madrid

    Wayne Rooney has revealed he was “ready” to join Real Madrid or Barcelona when he handed in a transfer request at Manchester United 10 years ago.

    The former England skipper expressed his desire to leave the Red Devils in October 2010 after questioning the club’s ambition and ability to attract top players.

    The news sparked a scramble among the game’s elite clubs as they attempted to lure Rooney away from Old Trafford.

    Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea were believed to be frontrunners for his signature, as were bitter rivals Manchester City.

    Rooney has now revealed that Real and Barca were also in the frame, and that he was tempted with a move to La Liga.

    “I think it was well documented that Chelsea and Mourinho wanted to sign me,” Rooney told the UTD Podcast.

    “There was Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Man City thing kept cropping up, but there was never the option for me to go there.

    “Although there were rumours on that as well, but the other three, really, were more realistic options.

    “In my head, at the time, in that two-day period, I was ready to go and play in Spain.

    “Ideally, I would have liked to have gone to Barcelona, but it was looking more likely to be Real Madrid than Barcelona. Chelsea were always there as well.

    “To be honest, it was two or three days where there was communication between myself and them, or my representatives and team.

    “I remember sitting down for one day and thinking ‘imagine playing in that Barcelona team – Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets’. And at that time Messi wasn’t playing the way he plays now, as a no.9 for instance. He was out wide.

    “I was thinking I could have slotted in perfectly. I could have come to the ball as well and have players running in behind.”

    Rooney famously performed a drastic U-turn just two days after handing in his transfer request, signing a new five-year contract after talks with manager Sir Alex Ferguson and chairman David Gill.

    “After a couple of days, I spoke to David Gill again and when there were those protests at my house, I’d actually already agreed to sign the new contract by that time,” he added.

    “I was thinking “Jesus”, it was three o’clock in the morning and I didn’t fancy going out to calm down 20 or 30 lads with their hoods up!”

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  • Rooney confirms he wants Derby manager job full-time

    Rooney confirms he wants Derby manager job full-time

    Wayne Rooney has made it clear that he wants to take over as Derby County manager on a permanent basis following Philipp Cocu’s sacking, with the England icon having been installed as caretaker boss.

    The Rams sit bottom of the Championship with six points from 11 matches so far this season, with only one win picked up throughout that run leading to Cocu’s dismissal.

    Skipper Rooney has been placed in temporary charge, adding additional responsibility to his roles as both player and coach, and the 35-year-old has left the club in no doubt as to whether he could see himself in the dugout full-time.

    “I wouldn’t be an ambitious person if I sat here and said I didn’t want the job,” Rooney told a press conference. “We all come into this game to play football and then you have a decision to make: do you want to go into coaching or management?

    “I’ve made it quite clear over the last few years that my ambition is to go into management, especially when you see the likes of Steven Gerrard (Rangers), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Scott Parker (Fulham) all getting good jobs and doing really well at it.

    “We have to get the next two or three games out the way first, but if they go well it puts me in a better position to put our names forward for that role.”

    Having played under one of football’s most decorated managers in history in Sir Alex Ferguson, Rooney would have no shortage of influence to call upon if he was to be offered the Pride Park hotseat.

    “I have worked with some very good managers and possibly the greatest of all time,” he added. “I am not going to say I am going to do it like Sir Alex Ferguson. You have to work with the players you have got and you have to manage players correctly.

    “There is an opportunity to show the different ideas that you have. But there are things you can take from other managers.”

    Rooney will be joined by fellow coaches Shay Given, Justin Walker and Liam Rosenior as the Rams prepare for Bristol City this weekend and the latter is convinced his colleague can go on to be a top trainer.

    “It’s one thing wanting the job, it’s another thing are you the right man for the job and that depends on how the owners see the club moving forward,” former full-back Rosenior said.

    “Wayne has unbelievable qualities. I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be an exceptional manager.”

  • Rooney fails to inspire as Derby draw goalless with Northampton

    Rooney fails to inspire as Derby draw goalless with Northampton

    Former England captain Wayne Rooney failed to inspire his Derby County side as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to fourth tier Northamption on Friday.

    In an FA Cup fourth round tie, Northampton forward Vadaine Oliver went closest to a breakthrough in the first half, striking the crossbar from close range.

    As second tier Derby failed to muster a shot on target, they now face the prospect of a replay.

    But there was some drama, with Derby claiming that Northampton’s Charlie Goode should have been sent off for hauling Jack Marriott to the ground when he was through on goal.

    The referee had ruled it was not a foul.

    Also, Sheffield Wednesday won 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers in the evening’s other match, an all second-tier affair.

    Other fixtures will see Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all play on Sunday against lower division opponents.(Reuters/NAN)