Wayne Rooney was one of Manchester United’s hardest-working players in the final years of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful reign as Manchester United manager, but the club’s all-time record scorer now reveals the hardest worker he encountered on the training ground following an illustrious career.
Following a 2004 transfer from Everton that saw Manchester United make Wayne Rooney the most expensive teenager in English football, the young striker went on to become a loyal club servant who won everything.
Rooney’s honours at United include five Premier League titles, one Champions League, one Europa League, one FA Cup, four League Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2008.
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Although Rooney was responsible for two transfer requests during his 13 seasons at United, he will be remembered not only as a prolific goalscorer but as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s hardest working players.
Rooney went from playing as a centre forward to central midfield as his career progressed. Even when played up front, ‘Wazza’ was often seen tracking back into left-back positions, to give his teammates the extra yard in every battle.
This made Rooney a trusted figure among his peers in the United dressing room, which he shared with true greats such as Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesRyan Giggs a better trainer than Cristiano Ronaldo
Nowadays, Rooney reflects on his football career as a podcaster, taking a much needed break away from coaching after multiple disappointing jobs in the past.
When asked to name the best trainer he played with, Rooney was quick to identify Giggs, the most decorated player in English football history.
Giggs was always a senior player in the dressing room when Rooney was playing for United, so it shows that he was always keen to lead by example, on the pitch.
Rooney also credits former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo for being a top trainer, citing how both players have proven to be successful with incredible longevity throughout their playing careers.
“It’s tough. I have to say Ryan Giggs,” Rooney said on the Smith Brothers podcast.
“Yeah. I just think for that long, you know, obviously everyone’s doing it now, Pilates or yoga and stuff, but he was doing all that just to keep himself fit and playing on obviously Ronaldo as well now he’s doing the same.
“But I just think for longevity and keeping himself fit because he had his injuries when he was younger as well before I was at United and then from that and then what he what he did, he never pulled out of a training session because he knew if he missed a session or two sessions and it’d be so difficult for him to get back into his rhythm.”
Will Ryan Giggs ever be overtaken as English football’s most decorated player?
Ryan Giggs incredible honours list 🏆
- Premier League x13
- FA Cup x4
- League Cup x4
- Champions League x2
- UEFA Super Cup
- Intercontinental Cup
- Club World Cup
- Manchester United’s all-time record appearance maker
Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses Ronnie Rooke 64-year record
Ronaldo finished 2025 with another record as he added to his remarkable goal tally with a strike for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.
In doing so, Ronaldo broke the 64-year-old goalscoring record previously held by an England legend.
Ronaldo surpassed Rooke as the player with the most goals scored after turning 30. The Portuguese legend has now scored 494 goals, edging past Rooke’s record of 493 goals.
Rooke played for Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Arsenal. His career spanned from 1931 to 1961.
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