Wayne Rooney on midfield role, media criticism and Big Sam: What he said, what he meant

Updated 05/10/2016 at 10:50 GMT

After Wayne Rooney launched a staunch defence of his role with Manchester United and England, we take a look at what he has said this week and what he probably meant… as completely guessed by Kevin Coulson.

England's Wayne Rooney during training

Image credit: Reuters

What Rooney said: "I have heard a lot of people talking about transition – well, let me do it. If that is what’s going to happen, let me do that. I feel I am not being given a chance, if that is the way I want to go in my career, to expand it. I am not being given that chance to go from there to there [attack to midfield].

What he meant: Back off.

Rooney: I want to silence the doubters under Gareth Southgate

World Cup

On This Day: RIP Brazil - The night football changed forever

08/07/2020 at 16:10

That’s football, isn’t it? You divide opinions. Listen, I am not a player who wants people to say how good he is. That’s not me.

I’m England’s leading scorer and will beat Sir Bobby Charlton’s record at United with three goals deflecting in off my arse. Obviously, I’m the nuts.

I play where the manager [Mourinho] asks me. We spoke at the start of the season and, as he said to you guys, he feels my best position is further forward, so that’s where I will play.

I’ll just slip back into midfield anyway. Or just run around a bit and shout a lot.

Jose Mourinho has insisted Wayne Rooney is still very much part of his plans at Manchester United after dropping the forward for the 4-1 victory over Leicester City.

Image credit: Reuters

At the minute I’m happy playing where my managers want me to play

Sure, Jose’s got his ideas, but he’s wrong. And is there a new England boss? I couldn’t remember his name so I kept it vague.

[Big Sam] knew he made a mistake [saying I could player wherever I want]. He said that to me on the plane home. He understood that quite early and unfortunately he doesn’t have the chance to rectify that now.

What he meant to say was that I can't play wherever he wants. Which is the same load of words, just jumbled up a bit differently. No wonder we all got confused.

England manager Sam Allardyce and coach Martyn Margetson talk to Wayne Rooney

Image credit: Reuters

I played where I was asked to play. That was a big misunderstanding and I seemed to get slaughtered for it. I suffered from that. I got battered in many different ways when I felt it was actually a decent performance."

Look at the mess you’ve left me in Sam, you *****. Obviously my first touch and ability to pick a pass would have been entirely different if it weren't for your duff tactics.

Everyone else can say what they think, or what they think they know, but me, the manager and the players know what is required to do well.

We were really close to beating Iceland. Okay, not that close. Well, not close at all. But we're all pretty clear that whoever scores more goals than the other team is the winner.

I feel I can control and dictate games from [midfield]. It’s obvious I’m not as quick as I was. You can always have a football brain, though, and I’ve got that.

I can hit a lovely-looking cross-field ball that goes straight into touch as well as anyone in the game. It's not as easy as FIFA '17 makes it look.

I speak to a couple of people after every game, my dad and my agent, and they are honest with me. If I haven’t played well, they tell me. But I know that anyway.

”My dad loves me, and I know I pay my agent megabucks but they are definitely objective about how I play. Definitely.

But I am sure the people who know me know I will come back.

My dad and my agent say I can come back.

England interim manager Gareth Southgate and first team coach Steve Holland during training

Image credit: Reuters

I love football and, in football, you have highs and lows. I still wake up every day and love what I am doing and I cannot imagine my life without football. I dread the day it ends. Any player who has played since he was a kid will say that. You speak to other players who have done that [stopped playing] and they say it is a weird feeling. You enjoy it while you can.

There's no rush. Teddy Sheringham played well into his 40s, and he had even less pace than me. He even played for Colchester... has anyone got their number by the way?

"I love meeting up with England. Whether I am on the pitch or not, I feel I can help the players."

Sometimes we play FIFA '17 in my room. Now that's leadership.

West Ham United's Teddy Sheringham (L) challenges Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas during their English Premier League soccer match at Upton Park in London November 5, 2006

Image credit: Reuters

If the manager turned around on Saturday [when England play Malta] and I was on the bench, of course I would want to play, but I am not going to say ’I am not playing for England again’. I would still turn up and try to get back in the team."

Southgate didn’t actually pick me, but I loitered around St George’s Park entrance for so long that he took pity.

There will come a time, if I’m not playing, I might have to be a bit more selfish in terms of where I want to play and making that clear.

I’m seeing Jose on the day after the Slovenia game.

World Cup

Rooney 'going through transition, just like I did' says Giggs - but is he right?

12/10/2016 at 12:16

World Cup

Pelle thrown out of Italy squad for refusing to shake manager's hand

07/10/2016 at 11:54

World Cup

O'Neill: It's a tough group and we've still got a million miles to go

07/10/2016 at 08:07

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me