Wayne Rooney has finally broken his silence about the breakdown in his relationship with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, claiming it was down to the Scot’s decision to play him out of position. Robin Van Persie’s arrival saw Rooney’s role change but he struggled with the change and he was subsequently dropped for the second leg of United’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid. His absence prompted speculation about his future and a summer exit seemed inevitable whne Ferguson revealed the 27-year-old had asked to leave the club, leading to two failed bids from Chelsea.
Speaking for the first time about the speculation, Rooney said: “I got told to play in midfield and I didn’t want to.
“I just think there had to come a point when, for my own career, I had to be a bit selfish really.
“Everyone at the club knew where I wanted to play and I think that’s why I was disappointed.
“I actually felt when I played in midfield I did OK, but I didn’t want to play there. I’ve had no problem in the past playing out of position. But I felt I deserved the right to play in my position and that wasn’t happening.
“I think, naturally, I was a bit disappointed and maybe that affected some of the games I played. I know myself that last year wasn’t my best season but there were times when I was playing in different positions.
“I didn’t feel I got a consistent run of games up front. Sometimes when you’re not playing in one position all the time it’s difficult to adapt.”
Rooney has been a regular starter under David Moyes and being back in his favoured position has yielding five goals. David Moyes has come in, he’s playing me up front and I’m enjoying it,” added Rooney. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t [go into midfield] for instance if it was the last 10 to 15 minutes of a game, if we were holding on a bit and I got asked to drop to the left, or drop back, to help see out the game,” he added.
“I’d always go in and try to help the team. I’m not saying I’d throw my arms up and not do it. I can play in midfield. Maybe when I’m a bit older, losing my legs a bit, I can go back there.”
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made it clear it was up to Rooney to make a decision on his future, but the striker refused to hand in a transfer request out of respect for United.
However, he insists he never had any plans to walk out on the club.
“To be honest I’ve been settled all summer. I know from the outside looking in it might not have seemed like that, but I have. I spoke with the people who matter at the club and we knew what we were doing. The club made that clear,” he explained.
“My wife had a new child and I’ve been really happy. I’m not going to go on saying I wanted to stay or I wanted to leave. I just want to concentrate on my football. We’ll see what happens after that.”
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