Rio Ferdinand: Nobody would blame Wayne Rooney for leaving Manchester United after unfair England pressure
There has been a lot said over the past week about the Wayne Rooney ‘incident’ while on England duty. Wayne has apologised but there are things I want to know.
When he was given free time, had Gareth Southgate already told him he wasn’t playing against Spain on the Tuesday?
If the answer is yes, then Rooney was entitled to do whatever he wanted.
Sporting chance
It baffles me that there is such a furore when a footballer has a night out but little fuss is made if people from other sports do the same.
Everyone knows that rugby players tend to celebrate with a drink or two when they win a game and yet they are not judged by the same standards. That is neither fair nor makes sense.
Moving on
Can anyone blame Rooney if he decides to swan off into the sunset to a foreign country after all the negative scrutiny he’s been getting?
He showed his anger the other day by making a brief statement to the media and you do suspect he would be in the right to move elsewhere to get away from it all.
Safe space
Fans often wonder why footballers are becoming increasingly detached from the general public and are less keen to engage. Well, here is a perfect example why.
Someone probably sold those pictures of Rooney to make a bit of money when he was just trying to be nice and interact with people at someone’s wedding reception.
After it made the headlines, why would any player put themselves in that position again?
Fan favourite
United fans are standing by Rooney from what I saw during the Arsenal game on Saturday.
It will help give him even more determination to show what he can do in a United shirt when they face Feyenoord on Thursday.
Rio Ferdinand exclusive: Nobody would blame Rooney for leaving UnitedWayne RooneyManchester UnitedPremier LeagueEngland Football Teaminternational footballRio FerdinandManchester United transfer news: Rio Ferdinand says nobody would blame Wayne Rooney for leaving after unfair England pressureWayne Rooney: England highs and lows
Wayne Rooney: England highs and lows
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1/10 Wayne Rooney's highs and lows
With the England captain dropped by interim manager Gareth Southgate, the Press Association look back at some of the striker's most memorable moments...
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2/10 High: England's youngest goalscorer
Despite the increased amount of young talent now breaking into the England team earlier than their predecessors, Rooney still holds the record for being the youngest to score. His landmark goal came via a half-volley in a 2-1 win away to Macedonia in September 2003 at the age of just 17 years and 317 days.
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3/10 High: International emergence
Arguably Rooney's best tournament in an England shirt was Euro 2004 in Portugal when the young tyro scored four times as the Three Lions reached the quarter-finals and he was named in team of the tournament.
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4/10 Low: World Cup red card
Rooney went into the 2006 tournament in Germany under something of a cloud having broken a metatarsal just six weeks beforehand, meaning doubts were expressed about his fitness. Rooney's World Cup ended in disgrace as he was sent off in the quarter-final defeat to Portugal after stamping on opponent Ricardo Carvalho.
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5/10 Low: Fans' blast
Another World Cup, this time in South Africa in 2010, which ended in disappointment. Rooney's relationship with supporters nose-dived when, after a frustrating goalless group phase draw with Algeria, he sarcastically said "Nice to see your home (own) fans booing you" right down the lens of an on-pitch television camera.
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6/10 High: Captaincy
After the international retirement of Steven Gerrard following the 2014 World Cup, then manager Roy Hodgson turned to Rooney as his successor. Rooney said it was "beyond his wildest dreams".
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7/10 High: England's record goalscorer
Sir Bobby Charlton's record tally of 49 had stood for 45 years and, after the likes of Gary Lineker and Michael Owen came up short, Rooney eventually surpassed it. Fittingly for the striker - who has been criticised for not scoring in key matches - it came in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland in September 2015, albeit from the penalty spot.
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8/10 Low: Wembley woe
Rooney was jeered by frustrated fans after the Manchester United star capped a disappointing performance with a wayward shot in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta at Wembley.
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9/10 Low: Dropped
Gareth Southgate has decided to drop Rooney for England's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.
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10/10 Low: Apology
Rooney offered an "unreserved" apology to Southgate and the FA after pictures emerged of the England captain looking worse for wear at the team hotel following the 3-0 victory over Scotland.
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