Coleen Rooney recently shared the challenges she and her family faced after her husband, Wayne, made the controversial move from Everton to Manchester United in 2004.

Growing up in Merseyside, Wayne had made a name for himself with Everton, especially after scoring a dramatic late winner against Arsenal at just 16 years old.

His international breakthrough at Euro 2004 caught the attention of United, and he chose to leave his boyhood club for the Red Devils.

Life After Wayne’s Transfer

Wayne’s decision didn’t sit well with many Everton supporters, leading to significant backlash.

Coleen revealed that their family was directly affected by the intense reaction from fans.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Coleen recalled how their house was spray-painted, and their cars had windows smashed.

The situation became so tense that they had no choice but to move out of Liverpool for safety.

“Sir Alex Ferguson advised us to leave Liverpool, and that’s exactly what we did,” Coleen said.

“But it was our families who bore the brunt of the backlash, and that wasn’t fair.”

Wayne’s Sacrifice for Success

Despite the negativity surrounding his move, Coleen emphasized that Wayne’s goal was always to win silverware, something he felt was unlikely at Everton given the club’s circumstances.

She explained that Manchester United, with its massive reputation, offered Wayne the chance to achieve his ambition.

“For Wayne, Everton was always his club, and he loved it,” she said.

“But Manchester United was a huge opportunity. He wanted to win trophies, and staying at Everton wouldn’t have given him that chance.”

Success at United

Wayne’s career at Manchester United was nothing short of stellar.

He spent 13 years at Old Trafford, during which he won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, and became the club’s all-time top scorer, surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record.

“For Wayne, it was tough, but in the end, it was worth it,” Coleen added.

“He achieved everything he wanted, and we had some fantastic times there.”

A Return to Everton

In 2017, Wayne returned to Everton after a decline in playing time under manager José Mourinho.

His second spell at Goodison Park, however, lasted just one season before he moved to the US to play for DC United.

Coleen’s candid reflections on the challenges they faced highlight how difficult it was for the Rooney family, but ultimately, Wayne’s decision to pursue success at United paid off in both his career and personal life.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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