Wayne Rooney has shared some revealing insights into his international career, including how he sometimes went against the guidance of Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson while representing England.
Even at the peak of his club career, Rooney’s love for playing for his country often took precedence over strict instructions from his former manager.
A Record-Breaking Career for England
Rooney’s time with England spanned 15 years, from 2003 to 2018, making him one of the most decorated players in the nation’s history.
He scored 53 goals for the Three Lions, placing him just behind Harry Kane on England’s all-time scoring list.
He also earned 120 caps, the most for any England outfield player, with only goalkeeper Peter Shilton surpassing him in total appearances.
Rooney’s consistency and commitment helped cement his place as a central figure in the national team.
Ferguson’s Strict Rules on International Duty
During his Manchester United days, Sir Alex Ferguson would often instruct his players to limit their time on the pitch during international matches, usually to just 45 minutes.
This was part of Ferguson’s careful approach to managing player fitness across club and country commitments.
But Rooney’s passion for playing for England often led him to ignore this advice.
On The Wayne Rooney Show podcast on the BBC, he explained how he would tell the England manager he was ready to play the full 90 minutes, regardless of Ferguson’s instructions.
Rooney’s Love for the National Team
“I used to love getting called up to England, whether it was a friendly or a qualifier,” Rooney said.
“I loved going, meeting the players… That’s probably the reason I got 120 caps because I never used to pull out.
“I always remember Alex Ferguson before some of the games—he’d say, ‘No more than 45 minutes.
Make sure you come off after 45 minutes.’ And I’d be like, ‘Yeah, yeah.’
Then I’d get to England and say, ‘Boss, I want to play 90 minutes. I want to play the full game, don’t take me off.’”
Rooney added that his approach contrasted with some other players, who sometimes protected themselves from overexertion or injuries, particularly in friendly matches.
For Rooney, representing England was always a thrill.
Six Major Tournaments and Memorable Moments
Over his international career, Rooney featured in six major tournaments and scored twice at Euro 2004 at just 18 years old.
While he had a huge impact on the field, silverware with England eluded him throughout his career.
During his tenure, England squads were often dominated by Manchester United players like Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, and Michael Carrick.
Interestingly, reflecting the changing dynamics in English football, there are no United players in the current national team squad.