Rooney Reflects on Changing Culture at Manchester United
Wayne Rooney recently opened up about how much football—and specifically the culture at Manchester United—has shifted since his playing days.
Speaking candidly on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, the 39-year-old former England captain admitted that some of the blunt dressing room talk that was normal during his era would likely not be tolerated in today’s game.
Rooney spent 13 years at Old Trafford, winning 16 major trophies and captaining the club for three seasons, but he believes the current squad would be far less forgiving of straight-talking teammates.
“We’d Get Sacked”
Rooney didn’t hold back when Ferdinand asked whether he or fellow former captain Roy Keane could survive in today’s United dressing room.
“No,” Rooney said bluntly. “We’d get sacked.”
He explained that comments or feedback that were once considered part of building a strong team might now be viewed as bullying or inappropriate.
“That’s where now, and it is society as well, you can’t say this because you might upset this person.
You’re a bully, and you get accused of bullying and stuff,” he added.
The Value of Honest Feedback
Despite the cultural changes, Rooney stressed that he believes honest, sometimes tough conversations are crucial for team success.
“What happened to speaking the truth and saying, like, ‘What are you doing?’ Having a go, because when you used to have a go at me, [I’d think] ‘I’m not letting him do that again.’ Or I’d have a go at you,” he said.
He described the energy such interactions bring to the team, saying it keeps players alert and pushes everyone to perform at their best.
“It wakes you up. It brings you alive. It’s a responsibility… It’s a collective.”
Transitioning to Management
Since retiring as a player in 2021, Rooney has taken on managerial roles at Derby, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle.
He admitted that adjusting to modern dressing rooms as a manager has been challenging.
“I’ve walked out of dressing rooms as a manager because I’ll explode,” he revealed.
He described situations where players’ cautious approach to confrontation—such as worrying about being accused of bullying—left him unsure how to respond.
“You don’t know what you can and can’t say… Got to be really careful in what you try and say, how you want to say it, how you project it, what tone of your voice you’re saying it in,” he explained.
Personal Struggles and Family Support
Rooney also reflected on the personal battles he faced during his playing career, including struggles with alcohol.
He credited his wife, Coleen, with helping him stay grounded and focused.
“I honestly believe if she weren’t there I’d be dead,” Rooney admitted.
He described how Coleen recognized his vulnerabilities early on and guided him through them. “She’s seen it very early on and she’s controlled that.
Well, not controlled but helped me control that massively,” he said.
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Rooney’s reflections shed light on how football culture has evolved, both on and off the pitch.
While he acknowledges the importance of respect and sensitivity in today’s game, he also emphasizes the value of accountability, honesty, and hard-hitting conversations in creating a winning team.