Born in the suburbs of Liverpool, Rooney was one of the greatest players to ever represent Manchester United FC and the England football team. With a total of 12 major trophies in a 13-season run, we take a look at some of the top 50 quotes on the legendary striker Wayne Rooney.
Being the Manchester United football club’s, as well as the England national team’s all-time leading goalscorer bears testament to his achievements as a player.
As a youngster with Everton he smashed over a 100 goals during a season. In his professional days, he spent just three seasons with the Merseyside club in two spells, competing for the majority of his career at Old Trafford.
Now a manager with English football league side Derby County, Rooney is looking to emulate his immense feats on the field as a coach.
No one in world football will doubt that Rooney was one of the best footballers of his generation, as well as being a winner of ‘Young Player’ awards in his early days. He was of a short stature, but was noted for his strength, energy, and pace. His consistent goal scoring set him apart from others, and was deployed in a midfield role to good effect in his latter days.
His school days saw him take up boxing before deciding that football was the way to go, and apart from being an Everton supporter, he is a fan of Scottish side Celtic. His stunning bicycle kick winner against close rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford in 2011 is still remembered years later amongst the faithful at MUFC.
“You’ve got very good players and then there are top players…..Rooney just had that little bit more than all the others.” Gareth Southgate
“The young players, obviously when he first came into the club, were absolutely starstruck. Wayne is someone who’s once in a generation, gifted in terms of his talent and ability…..” Liam Rosenior
“Wayne Rooney won more trophies at Manchester United than Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Denis Law, Eric Cantona or Cristiano Ronaldo.” Simon Stone
“Rooney is an interesting player in a tactical sense…..” Michael Cox
“Nobody hates United more than me. Just because I don’t support his team doesn’t mean I can’t admire what he has done.” Ricky Hatton
“He is very stocky, he is going to have to train well all the time.” Alex Ferguson
“Rooney can do the lot. Eventually he’ll have all the United records.” Denis Law
“The sending off was just one of those things, we probably wouldn’t be in the position we are without Wayne anyway……..but without Wayne we wouldn’t be where we are now.” John Terry
“I don’t remember anyone making such an impact since Pele in the 1958 World Cup…….Rooney’s absolutely fantastic.” Sven-Goran Eriksson
“Wayne Rooney is blue through and through. I know he’s a Manchester United legend, but Everton’s his club.” Curtis Davies
“Rooney is the biggest England talent I’ve seen since I arrived in England.” Arsene Wenger
“It was stunning. Unbelievable. We’ve had some fantastic goals here but in terms of execution… you’ll never see that.” Alex Ferguson
“Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does……He is a great inspiration to the younger members of the team.” Louis van Gaal
“…..only plays well in Manchester.” Fabio Capello (England manager)
“…..he will be one of the greatest ever to play for England…..and probably his best is still to come.” Steve McClaren
“…..a jewel in the crown.” Sir Bobby Robson
“I am very excited. I think we have got the best young player this country has seen in the past 30 years.” Alex Ferguson
“I played against Ryan Giggs when I was with Chorley Schoolboys and I don’t think it is overstating the fact to say Wayne can have the same impact.” David Unsworth
“It looked as if we were starting to control the match. We might have gone on to get a good result for ourselves. It certainly took away one of our best players.” Alex Ferguson
“I obviously cannot deny that I am disappointed that I now don’t hold this record. However, I am absolutely delighted that it is Wayne, as captain of my beloved club and country, who now holds this record.” Bobby Charlton
“Now Wayne becomes a legend of Manchester United” Jose Mourinho
“He deserves his place in the history books…..He is a true great for club and country, and it is fitting that he is now the highest goalscorer for both United and England.” Bobby Charlton
“I would defy anyone to fault his work-rate, his desire…..” Roy Hodgson
“I miss playing with Rooney…..everyone loved him. He was so powerful.” Cristiano Ronaldo
“Wayne Rooney can change every game because he is a fantastic player.” Roberto Mancici
“We should follow him as a footballer.” Rio Ferdinand
“Wayne’s enthusiasm, hunger and desire mark him out as a special player.” Steve Bates
“He is a high profile player and everything he does is magnified. Wayne has a different position in the game.” Mark Hughes
“For me it’s always very important the choice of captain. Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does.” Louis van Gaal
“A more special day will arrive. It was great but I want one more goal! He is an amazing guy in the group and we all want him to do it. To have Wayne as the top scorer in a club like this is magnificent for him.” Jose Mourinho
“Of course, Argentina have Lionel Messi who along with Rooney is the best player in the world right now.” Franz Beckenbauer
“Everyone knows how Wayne Rooney is important for this team, he is a fantastic player.” Carlo Ancelotti
“I would like to congratulate Wayne on becoming England’s leading goalscorer.” Bobby Charlton
“When I first met Wayne, I didn’t know what to expect but I met a man who just loved to play football.” Roy Hodgson
“He was absolutely driven from the first training session after joining United. There are so many qualities to him.” Darren Fletcher
“He has brought maturity and authority to his game. It usually starts to show itself when young players move into their mid-20s and that is the case with Wayne now.” Alex Ferguson
“Wayne is a worthy winner of our prestigious award.” Steve Bates
“He’s really taken on this job as captain with enormous seriousness.” Roy Hodgson
“Sometimes a team can give more than 100% when a very important player is out…..to support the loss of Rooney.” Carlo Ancelotti
“Wayne will be a miss for us because he has been in such great form.” Gary Neville
“Rooney is very important for Manchester United……He is their most important player.” Louis van Gaal
“If he continues scoring and playing like that he can win the World Cup for England.” Franz Beckenbauer
“So far, Wayne is playing a tremendous season…..He looks calm, he looks confident.” Jurgen Klinsmann
“…..with Rooney, England can go a long way in South Africa…..Year on year, Rooney becomes better and better. He is a top player.” Gilberto Silva
“I think in adversity, Wayne has done exceptionally well.” Tony Mowbray