Wayne Rooney Reflects on a Departing Teammate and the Shift in Manchester’s Power Dynamic

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has spoken about the heartbreak he felt when a fellow player left the club, viewing that event as a turning point in the rivalry landscape of Manchester.

During his 13-year stint at Manchester United, Rooney became the club’s all-time top scorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances. His tenure saw the team secure five Premier League titles, a Champions League victory in 2008, along with multiple other trophies including the Europa League, FA Cup, and League Cup.

While playing alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, and Paul Scholes, Rooney recalls a particularly emotional moment when Argentine forward Carlos Tevez left for Manchester City before the 2009-2010 season in a deal valued at around £25.5 million. Rooney described feeling devastated by Tevez’s departure, highlighting how significant the move was for the local football scene.

Rooney explained that Tevez had played a crucial role in Manchester United’s triumphs, especially during the 2007-8 season when the team secured both the Premier League and Champions League titles. Tevez had also been part of the team that won another league title and the League Cup the following season. Despite his success at United, Tevez declined a permanent transfer, choosing to stay on loan for two seasons before moving on.

His transfer to Manchester City was notably provocative, announced on a billboard in the city, signaling a power shift. Rooney recalled Sir Alex Ferguson’s criticism of City, calling them a “small club with a small mentality,” but acknowledged that their fans relished the shift of dominance within Manchester.

Tevez proved instrumental for City, helping them clinch their first Premier League title in the 2011-12 season by snatching the title from United on the last day. Rooney expressed regret over Tevez’s departure, wishing he could have continued playing alongside him. Since then, Manchester City has expanded its dominance, claiming multiple league titles, with Rooney noting the significance of Tevez’s contributions during his tenure at the club.