It was a dream for Wayne Rooney to be invited to play for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Since signing in 2004, he has enjoyed a decorated career which includes five Premier League titles as well as success in the Champions League.
But in 2010 and again in 2013, rumours circulated that a disgruntled Rooney wanted to leave the club. The former Everton striker has finally spoken out about these controversies in his new documentary 'Wayne Rooney - The Man Behind The Goals.'
In 2013, Rooney was in and out of the United starting XI and just before Ferguson retired from the club, Chelsea expressed interest in him. Rooney admitted that there was some acrimony with Ferguson but that this was fabricated by the media to create transfer rumours.
I went in to see him and just said if you're not going to play me it might be better I moved on - then all of a sudden it's all over the press I put in a transfer request, which I never did.
Rooney withdrew from contract talks in 2010, saying that the assurances he sought were not delivered. Ferguson was shocked at the time but within 48 hours, the England record goal-scorer signed a five year deal with the club.
Their relationship has improved in the last two years, but commenting on his ties with Ferguson, Rooney said:
It is not just me who has had a fall-out with Alex Ferguson. I think many players have. Some have left. Some have stayed.
The documentary, narrated by Gary Lineker, also focuses on Rooney's World Cup dilemmas in 2006 as well as why he thinks Fabio Capello was such a disappointment. The programme will be aired on BBC One on 5 October.
