Manchester United great Wayne Rooney has named his four Old Trafford greats, including a somewhat surprising name.
The former striker is now manager of MLS side DC United and was recently included in the CBS Sports Golazo 'Mount Rushmore' of icons of United, along with Sir Alex Ferguson, Bobby Charlton, and Paul Scholes. Rooney spent 13 years at Old Trafford, and is the club's record scorer having notched 253 goals in 559 appearances.
He won five Premier League titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup with United as well as the Champions League and Europa League. Since hanging up his boots the 37-year-old has moved into management.
Also read: Sevilla defeat shows Ten Hag has to get ruthless with five United players
After a spell with Derby County, he joined DC United, where he spent a year of his playing career, ahead of this MLS season. Rooney has Premier League management ambitions and would love a slither of the success achieved by Ferguson at Old Trafford.
The Scot was the main reason Rooney opted to move to Manchester in 2004 and the former England skipper hailed his impact at United when asked to name his own four Old Trafford greats.
"Growing up the whole reason I signed for Manchester United was because I really wanted to play for Alex Ferguson," said Rooney. "Just the way he worked, and how successful he was. Of course they've had great players throughout the years. and it's a really historic club.
"Me being from Liverpool and an Evertonian, I always had an eye on Sir Alex Ferguson and just hoped that one day I could play under him. Thankfully I did and it was a huge honour for me."
Rooney, speaking to NBC, unsurprisingly named Ferguson as someone who merited a spot in his quartet of United icons, but he also had a place for Cristiano Ronaldo - who left Old Trafford under a cloud in November.
"Sir Alex of course will be on there," Rooney added. "I think Cristiano Ronaldo would be on there. Ryan Giggs, and probably George Best."
The inclusion of Ronaldo is something of a surprise despite the success the Portugal icon achieved at Old Trafford. His second spell ended in failure and Ronaldo criticised Rooney during his controversial interview with Piers Morgan which effectively sealed his United exit.
The pair also clashed on the international stage when Ronaldo famously winked to the camera after Rooney was sent off during a World Cup quarter final between England and Portugal in 2006. But the pair enjoyed plenty of success together under Ferguson, something which Rooney evidently feels should not be overlooked when discussing the 38-year-old's legacy.
READ MORE:
