‘I Was Devastated’ — Wayne Rooney Reveals Controversial Man Utd Departure That Left Him ‘Gutted’ and Sir Alex Ferguson Furious During Glory Years
June 26, 2025 — Manchester
In an emotional new interview, Wayne Rooney has opened up about one of the most turbulent moments of his legendary career — a controversial Manchester United departure during the club’s glory years that left him “gutted” and even infuriated then-manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rooney, now 39 and retired from professional football, revealed that the moment came not during his well-known transfer to Everton in 2017, but earlier — a little-known loan spell in the 2009-10 season that caught both him and Ferguson by surprise.
“I was devastated,” Rooney said candidly in the sit-down with The Athletic. “I wasn’t expecting to be loaned out at that time, especially not when we were fighting for trophies. It felt like a betrayal — by the club and myself.”
The incident reportedly occurred during a period when Rooney was recovering from a nagging ankle injury and facing intense competition for starting spots amid a star-studded squad featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, and Dimitar Berbatov.
According to Rooney, the club’s decision to send him temporarily to Wigan Athletic — then battling relegation — was made behind his back, without proper consultation.
“I found out about it through my agent. Sir Alex was furious too. I remember him calling the club’s board and demanding answers. He didn’t want me going anywhere,” Rooney recalled. “But the wheels had already been set in motion.”
The loan lasted just six weeks, with Rooney returning to United after making four appearances for Wigan. But the episode left a deep mark on the young striker.
“It was a difficult time mentally,” he admitted. “I was used to being in the spotlight, fighting for the biggest trophies, not helping a struggling team avoid the drop. But looking back, it made me tougher. It taught me about resilience.”
Ferguson’s frustration was well documented in his autobiography, where he described the decision as “a misstep” but praised Rooney’s eventual response.
“The kid came back stronger, hungrier,” Ferguson wrote. “That episode could have broken him. Instead, it forged a leader.”
Rooney went on to cement his place as United’s all-time top scorer, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy before his eventual move to Everton.
Reflecting on the incident now, Rooney said:
“I was gutted, sure. But sometimes football throws you curveballs. It’s how you respond that defines you.”
The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes challenges even the game’s biggest stars face — and how those struggles can fuel greatness.
