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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has made a bold UEFA Champions League prediction that threatens his status as a Red Devils icon
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has angered the club’s fans after predicting that cross-town rivals Manchester City will win the UEFA Champions League this season.
Wayne Rooney risks legend status with bold prediction
Rooney, who played 559 times for Manchester United and has scored more goals for the club against Manchester City than any other player, drew the ire of the Red Devils’ fans after he suggested that the Cityzens would be too good for Real Madrid when they play in the UCL semifinals.
Rooney predicted that Manchester City would blow Real Madrid away over the two legs, stating reasons why he believed so, just as he did when he predicted that Argentina would lift the World Cup.
However, just like the Argentina prediction, his thoughts on Manchester have not gone well with many Manchester United fans, who have essentially accused him of treason for supporting “the enemy” to win a trophy that the Red Devils have not won since 2008.
Rooney tips Manchester City to ‘destroy’ Real Madrid
Rooney wrote in his column for the Times that he believed Manchester City to be too good for Real Madrid with the inclusion of 51-goal striker Erling Haaland, who Rooney believes will be the difference maker for the sides.
He wrote, “Manchester City will not beat Real Madrid, they will destroy them.
“You can never write off a collective with Madrid’s experience and history, but I wouldn’t put money on them [Manchester City]. I believe it’s City’s year.”
While Rooney stated his admiration for Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger, he was also of the opinion that the German centre-back would not be able to stop Haaland.
“How do Madrid stop Haaland? Rüdiger is a great competitor who, as a defender, likes one-on-one battles. But, I don’t think he can handle Haaland.”
Rooney’s comments have been widely condemned by Manchester United fans on Twitter, some of whom asked him to delete his tweet, while others said he was no longer a legend of the club for holding such an opinion.
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