Sir Alex Ferguson's Reaction To Wayne Rooney's Transfer Request

Posted Sunday, October 21, 2018 by sportbible.com

Wayne Rooney is Manchester United's all time goalscorer but there will always be some fans who don't consider him as much a legend as they might because of his 2010 transfer request. This is how Sir Alex Ferguson reacted to it.

Most football fans are really pleased for Wayne Rooney right now. The former England captain is making a great time of his, to date, short spell in the MLS with DC United.

The goals are flowing again after a difficult last few years in the Premier League with Manchester United and Everton which saw his quality drop off someway.

There is a great deal of goodwill from fans of both Everton and United for Rooney especially from the Red Devils where the former captain became the club's all time top scorer.

However despite all his success at Old Trafford a transfer request in 2010, that was reportedly paired with a desire to join Manchester City, means he'll never enjoy the level of love he should.

When Rooney handed in his request the man most wounded was Sir Alex Ferguson. The legendary United manager was visibly down at a press conference at the time saying:

"I'm disappointed, very disappointed, I can't believe it. 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.

"...his agent has intimated that he won't be signing a contract and he wants away. I couldn't believe it either. I was dumbfounded. It was a shock.

"I had a meeting with him and he intimated it to me [that he wanted to leave] in his own way. I said: 'The only thing I want from you is to respect the club's position and its traditions and behave like a proper professional and we will try to see it through.'

"And, you know, I don't know if he has done that. I have my doubts about that because reading all these things about him falling out with me and all that nonsense then it's disappointing because we have done everything we possibly can to help Wayne Rooney.

"Since the minute he's come to the club, we've always been a harbour for him - any time he has been in trouble, the advice we have given him, we have done nothing but help him. I was even prepared to give him financial advice, many times. I don't know how many times we have helped him in terms of his private life and other matters."

Sir Alex Ferguson's Reaction To Wayne Rooney's Transfer Request
Good times at the beginning of their period at United together.

It looked like a bad time for United with Manchester City the reported prefered destination for Rooney if he were to leave Old Trafford.

In the end though 'Wazza' signed a new deal to stay till 2010 and actually ended up lasting past Fergie with the Red Devils, leaving to rejoin Everton in 2017 before his move to the MLS.

The transfer request clearly hurt his manager as well as some of his reputation as a United legend.