As one of the biggest football clubs in the world, Manchester United have had plenty of superstars over the years.
From legends of yesteryear like Bobby Charlton and George Best to contemporary icons like Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs, fans of many generations have enjoyed quality players at Old Trafford.
Although Manchester United aren’t going through the best of times at present, it wasn’t that long ago that they were a force to be reckoned with, and they’re in a position to do so again.
Rio Ferdinand, one of the Red Devils’ best ever defenders, has now spoken about a teammate who used to leave opponents “shaking in their boots” even before they took to the pitch.
Rio Ferdinand says Wayne Rooney left opposition defenders shaking before the game
Ferdinand took part in a TNT Sports segment in which he, along with several other big pundits, discussed the best forwards in the Premier League era.
He went with Wayne Rooney up front, saying the mere presence of Man United’s all-time record scorer would faze much bigger opposition defenders.
“I’m going to go Rooney up front number nine,” he said.
“I saw centre-halves twice the size of him shaking in their boots in a tunnel – forget being on the pitch!
“Ridiculous amount of goals, club top goal scorer.”
Ferdinand then put fellow Man United legend Cristiano Ronaldo on the right flank and Arsenal talisman Thierry Henry on the left flank.
Wayne Rooney’s career
Rooney burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old playing for boyhood club Everton, quickly graduating from the academy after showing he was head and shoulders above everyone else.
Rooney announced himself in the greatest possible way, scoring a superb last-minute goal to give the Toffees a 2-1 win against Arsenal in October 2002 and end the reigning champions’ 30-game unbeaten run.
Rooney spent two seasons in Everton’s first-team before moving to Manchester United for £25.6million in the 2004 summer transfer window.
He went from strength to strength at Old Trafford, becoming their top goalscorer of all time with 253 goals and winning 16 trophies.
Indeed, Rooney became one of only two English players, alongside Michael Carrick, to win the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, League Cup, Europa League, and Club World Cup.
Man United then allowed Rooney to re-join Everton on a free transfer in 2017, spending a year back at Goodison Park.
The twilight of his career saw him enjoy stints at MLS side DC United and EFL side Derby County, where he was briefly player-coach.
Rooney is also England’s second-most-capped player on 120 caps, behind Peter Shilton, and second-top goalscorer with 53 strikes, with Harry Kane ahead of him.
