LONDON: Wayne Rooney confirmed yesterday he’d become frustrated at former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson’s decision to play him away from his favoured central striker position.
Ferguson retired at the end of last season after some 27 years in charge at Old Trafford, an era laden with trophies, and bowed out with United crowned champions of England once again.
But it was clear his once close relationship with Rooney had soured, the England forward often left out of a starting line-up where Robin van Persie was now the star striker and lead goalscorer.
But new United manager David Moyes, who oversaw the start of Rooney’s career at Everton, made keeping the forward at Old Trafford a key task amid suggestions he would have asked for a transfer had Ferguson remained in charge.
“There came a point where I had to be a bit selfish for my own career,” Rooney said yesterday ahead of England’s key 2014 World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley today.
“Everyone at the club knew where I wanted to play. That wasn’t happening.
“I’ve had no problem playing out of position in the past, but I’m a forward and I felt I deserved the right to play in my position.
“David Moyes has come in, he’s playing me up front, and I’m enjoying it,” the 27-year-old added.
Ferguson, ahead of the publication of his autobiography, has given conciliatory interviews regarding Rooney and the player himself.afp
