Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney told former teammate Gary Neville the toughest opponent he had ever faced in his illustrious playing career.
Wayne Rooney had a prolific career both at club level and on the international stage, with the Manchester United legend enjoying an incredible spell at Old Trafford.
He scored 253 times in 559 appearances for the Red Devils en route to surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton as the Premier League club’s all-time leading scorer.
Rooney, who arrived at Old Trafford from Everton in 2004, extended his stay at United long after Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of the Red Devils in 2013.
Following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement from football, Rooney was later promoted to the club captaincy under former United manager Louis van Gaal in 2014.
The 38-year-old former United and England striker’s time at Old Trafford finally came to an end in 2017 and Rooney returned to boyhood club Everton.
Rooney names his toughest opponent
Wayne Rooney had a brief second spell with Everton before playing for Derby County and DC United, with the Manchester United legend retiring in 2021.
The former United captain has pursued a career in management after his legendary playing career, having managed Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City.
Rooney, who was sacked from Birmingham City in January, made his return to management after his appointment as Plymouth Argyle boss this month.
The ex-United and Everton star appeared on The Overlap and took part in a quick-fire Q&A with fellow Red Devils legend Gary Neville.
Rooney was asked about his battles on the pitch in his prolific playing career and who would come out on top as his toughest opponent ever.
The Plymouth Argyle manager insisted that Chelsea legend John Terry was the “most difficult” opponent he faced.
Rooney played alongside John Terry on the international stage and previously opened up about his difficulty of playing against the Premier League Hall of Famer.
“Probably say John Terry,” he said.
“Yeah, I think he was… just because you would always think you could do him for pace, but he put himself in good positions and he was obviously physically strong, good in the air.
“Yeah, I think John Terry was probably the most difficult.”
Rooney returns to management
Rooney had been actively involved in the world of punditry after his ill-fated spell with Birmingham City came to an end at the start of 2024.
The United legend had reunited with Neville and Roy Keane for The Overlap’s Stick to Football show, as well as taking up punditry for Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
Rooney was also part of BBC’s coverage for the FA Cup in the 2023-24 season and was named as part of the broadcaster’s punditry line-up for Euro 2024 this summer.
The former Three Lions international has insisted that the head coach role at Plymouth is the “perfect next step” for him as he seeks to revive his career.
“Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the chairman and board for the faith they have shown in me,” Rooney said.
“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.
“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park.
“The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.”