Wayne Rooney Reveals He Received Death Threats After Joining Manchester United in 2004
Former England striker Wayne Rooney has opened up about the difficult moments he faced when he left Everton to join Manchester United in 2004. Rooney was only 18 years old when he signed for Manchester United in a £27 million deal, and the move caused anger among many Everton supporters who felt betrayed by their young star. He had earlier rejected a record contract offer from Everton, which added more pressure to the decision.
Rooney explained that the reaction from some fans went far beyond football. Speaking on BBC Sport’s latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, he revealed that he received several death threats after the transfer was confirmed. He said that even his parents’ house became a target, as it was vandalised and spray-painted by angry supporters who were unhappy about his move to United. His girlfriend at the time, now his wife, also suffered the same experience as her house was vandalised too.
According to Rooney, these attacks made the situation very difficult for him and those close to him. He shared that he had to develop strong mental courage to deal with the pressure and fear. He said the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester also added tension, as some fans felt he had crossed an emotional boundary by moving to a major rival club. Despite this, Rooney insisted he focused on his dreams and tried not to allow people’s opinions to stop him from achieving his goals.
Rooney stated that he always knew he had to make bold decisions, even if they were unpopular. He explained that he had to remain strong mentally and rely on the support of his family during the tough moments. He said that even though the threats were coming from people in his own city, he reminded himself that he had to take the steps necessary for his career and future. For him, the move to Manchester United was the right choice.
The former Manchester United forward also spoke about how different things are for young players today. He mentioned that social media has made life even harder for teenagers who play football. Rooney noted that when he was young, he only appeared in local newspapers, but young footballers today get attention from millions of people online. This creates pressure that many young players struggle to handle.
Rooney used his son Kai as an example, explaining that the 16-year-old, who plays for Manchester United’s youth team, already has a large following and brand deals. He said that growing up under the spotlight of social media can be overwhelming for teenagers who are just starting their football journey. Rooney believes young players need a strong support system to cope with the pressure.
He stressed that whether online criticism is right or wrong, young players are judged every day. Because of this, he said it is important for them to have people around them who truly care about their well-being. Rooney warned that social media can make anyone lose focus, so families and clubs must play a strong role in keeping young players emotionally stable.
Rooney concluded that having a good support network is the most important thing for every young footballer. He encouraged players to surround themselves with people who have their best interests at heart, because that is what helps them stay grounded and confident as they grow in their careers.
