MANCHESTER UNITED CAPTAIN Wayne Rooney has ruled out ever playing for another Premier League club ahead of England’s Euro 2016 campaign.
Since signing for United from boyhood club Everton in 2004, Rooney has come close to leaving Manchester on a number of occasions, most notably in 2010 when he handed in a transfer request amid strong interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The 30-year-old was eventually handed a new contract at United, before interest from Jose Mourinho – ironically the club’s new manager – upon his return to Chelsea for a second stint in 2013 once again tempted the English forward.
But with Mourinho installed and the United captaincy his, Rooney has no plans of playing for anyone else in the Premier League.
“I am happy to say now that, whatever may happen in the future, I will never play for another Premier League club,” Rooney said while speaking at the launch of the Wayne Rooney Foundation.
His statement ruled out a return to Everton, and could see England’s all-time record goalscorer finish his career abroad.
But that could still be some while away with Mourinho lavishing his star man with praise at the charity launch.
“Wayne is, and has been, England’s best player for over a decade,” Mourinho said.
Rooney is closing in on Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record at United, needing just five more goals to eclipse the club and England great.
Meanwhile, United will face Rooney’s former club, Everton, at Old Trafford on 3 August for the striker’s testimonial.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
I’m probably going to be panned for this but anyway. I’ve the height of respect for what the Irish women’s team have achieved in recent years. Breaking the English stranglehold on the 6N and winning that Grand Slam, beating NZ in the World Cup and so on.
But is it not bizarre that a woman like Tyrell, even an obviously highly talented one, can take up a completely new sport and make the Irish team within 18 months, an Irish team that we place on a huge pedestal? There’s surely no other sport where you could do that.
She’s obviously well-suited to the game and good luck to her (and the team) but it does make you question the quality that’s there a little bit.
in fairness look at the number of irish rugby internationals who took up rugby late and went on well…… john hayes comes to mind who had a similar start to rugby as Hannah Tyrrell being introduced to the game by friends….i wouldnt say its a massive lack of depth id say shes got the skills and abilities to play rugby for ireland and she did work her way up.
Hi Colm, there’s no question she has the skills and abilities to represent Ireland and, as I said, good luck to her. But you can’t just take up athletics, soccer, swimming, gymnastics, basketball etc and make the Irish team within 18 months. I know women’s rugby is still relatively new in this country and it has to start somewhere so it’s not a slight on her or the team.
It’s true that John Hayes was late taking up rugby but he first played for Bruff in 1992 when he was 18 and first played for Ireland in 2000. He really had to work his way up to get to the top level. I think that’s a completely different scenario in fairness.
The answer to this is the GAA. the basic skills learned in football can be applied to rugby, soccer, Aussie rules, etc… The skills of hurling lead to good golfers, tennis player, hand to eye coordination…. etc.
The “ABC” is what it is all about … A for athleticism, B for balance, and C for Coordination. This is Foundation Level GAA coaching.
Really think that GAA players have a lot to offer in sevens rugby. In particular for youth players, much was said about the size factor in the U20 World Cup but believe that an Irish Youth sevens team would not have that problem and would find an Olympic experience a bigger draw.
Rather than question the fact that you can make such a decision, support the girl. I know you most likely already do but did you ask this same question on every other athlete who switched sports? Anyway I’m not slating in case it sounds that way you’re right to ask :)