Rooney blames Sir Alex Ferguson for Man Utd’s lack of success
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Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United || Image credit: Imago

Rooney blames Sir Alex Ferguson for Man Utd’s lack of success

Faruq Ibrahim 16:32 - 03.03.2025

Wayne Rooney revealed how Sir Alex Ferguson caused some of Manchester United's problems.

Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney apportioned blame to the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson concerning the Red Devils’ current plight. 

Sir Alex is widely regarded as the greatest manager of all time for his exploits at Manchester United, winning 13 Premier Leagues, two Champions Leagues and many other cup titles. 

The Manchester-based club were one of the best teams in the world during Ferguson's stint, but they have since fallen off the pedestal, with no league titles since 2013. They had their worst Premier League finish last season (8th) and are one course and an even worse one this term, as they are currently 14th. 

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What Rooney said 

The 12 years after Ferguson's exit have been known as the post-Fergie era, with fans looking back longingly at the period before. However, for Rooney, the Scotsman is somewhat to blame for Manchester United's current state. 

After losing Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, two of their best players, the Red Devils did a shoddy job of replacing them, signing Gabriel Obertan and Mame Biram Diouf in 2009. 

Rooney believes the club should have done better in that transition period and faults the mistake from the era for the Old Trafford landlord's current predicament. 

“We sold Tevez and we sold Ronaldo. I went into Sir Alex Ferguson's office and I said, 'What's the plan here at the minute? We've only bought two young players who are unproven,” Rooney said, per Centre Devils.

Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester United prime years || Image credit: Imago
Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson during Manchester United prime years || Image credit: Imago

“They were offering me a contract of £200,000 a week. It would've been easy for me to say five years, £200,000 a week; let me sign it now but I wanted success on the pitch and it looked like that was fading.

“If you look five years down the line from that meeting, Sir Alex knew where the club was going and he got out of there as quick as he could, and they're still picking up the pieces now.”

Rooney remains hopeful about the club's future, however, as he believes Ruben Amorim is capable of overturning the situation on the condition the squad is overhauled. 

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