Re-evaluating Wayne Rooney’s ‘shock’ transfer request in 2010

On the 16th anniversary of Wayne Rooney’s transfer request at Manchester United, it’s only right to re-evaluate what was said and what happened in the years that followed.

Wayne Rooney left Manchester United in 2017 as the club’s all-time top goalscorer. A record he holds to this day.

Despite spending 13 years at Old Trafford, Rooney developed a frosty relationship with fans after requesting to leave the club in 2010. It led to widespread speculation that he would sign for noisy neighbours Man City.

Rooney saw sense and U-turned, spending a further seven years at United – plus four in the challenging post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Here’s a look back at what happened in 2010 when Rooney changed his mind and stayed at United.

The week Wayne Rooney shook Man Utd

The relationship between Rooney and Ferguson became frayed on more than one occasion. Perhaps the biggest incident occurred with the 2010 transfer request in a week that shook United to its core.

It came a year after the exit of attacking duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez – on top of the diminishment of quality in United’s squad, as seen with the players who replaced those stars: Gabriel Obertan, Bebe, and Michael Owen.

Rooney put in a transfer request after appearing to pull out of contract talks. In a bombshell press conference, a bemused-looking Ferguson said that he was “dumbfounded” by Rooney’s desire to leave.

“I’m disappointed, very disappointed, I can’t believe it,” Ferguson told reporters.

“He had told us he was happy at the club, that he was at the best club in the world, so I must say it was terribly disappointing to get the news because I can’t quite understand it.

“It’s a club that no one can deny is one of the most successful in British football. We have won 40 major trophies, been to countless cup finals, we have a fantastic history, a great stadium, great training arrangements. There’s a platform for anyone to take up a challenge here. There is incredible romance at this club. We just don’t understand it.”

Wayne Rooney releases statement

In the 24 hours that followed Ferguson’s shock press conference, Rooney responded to the comments with his own statement. He expressed concern about the direction the United team was heading in under the ownership of the Glazers.

“I met with David Gill [United’s chief executive] last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad,” Rooney said.

“I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract.

“I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it. It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.

“I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

“For me its all about winning trophies – as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

“Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

“For Manchester United’s sake I wish he could go on forever because he’s a one‑off and a genius.”

Fan backlash

United fans were outraged by Rooney’s request to leave. That anger was made 10x times worse at the prospect of seeing him move to City for the money.

As United continued negotiations with Rooney’s agent, Paul Stretford, things escalated into militant action and threats. A 40-strong group of United fans, many wearing balaclavas and black hooded tops, had travelled to his home in Prestbury, Cheshire to warn him off any move to City.

City were willing to pay Rooney £260k per week, but United continued to work on changing his mind. It was clear from this point he would have to rebuild faith with the fans.

Wayne Rooney’s U-turn leads to bigger contract

Rooney made a shock U-turn and agreed a new five-year contract just two days after announcing his intention to leave Old Trafford. The concerns expressed by the then 24-year-old striker vanished with a new, bigger and better contract.

Speaking about the deal in 2010, Ferguson said: “I’m delighted Wayne’s agreed to stay.” Rooney added: “I said on Wednesday the manager’s a genius and it’s his belief and support that convinced me to stay.”

The next step for Rooney was to get everyone back on board. It took years to do that with the majority, and there are United fans to this day that still hold it against him.

Time proved Wayne Rooney right

Interestingly, Rooney hit out at Lisandro Martinez for his post-match comments after United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

But hindsight proves Rooney was right to have concerns about United’s direction under the Glazers, especially when you consider how things significantly worsened after Ferguson retired.

The concerns Martinez raised this week about Ineos aren’t too dissimilar to what Rooney said. They’re all valid concerns. Rooney just overstepped the line by considering a transfer to City.