Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney has claimed that one fellow Manchester United legend was very “similar” to former Red Devils teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was reunited with former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho in 2016 after he signed on a free transfer.
The 42-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain striker was a key player for Jose Mourinho at United and impressed during his debut season in England.
Ibrahimovic scored 28 times in 46 appearances across all competitions in the 2016-17 campaign, with United lifting the League Cup and Europa League in the season.
Wayne Rooney retained the captain’s armband under Mourinho after the ‘Special One’ replaced Louis van Gaal, who was sacked as United manager in 2016.
But the United and England legend struggled for a regular place under Mourinho and managed only 25 Premier League appearances in his final season at the club.
Rooney left Old Trafford in 2017 and returned to boyhood club Everton, while Ibrahimovic’s second season at United was curtailed by a previous injury he had.
Ibrahimovic, who suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in the 2016-17 season, had his contract terminated in 2018 and went on to sign for LA Galaxy.
Rooney talks Man Utd legend and Ibrahimovic
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast, Wayne Rooney opened up about his legendary playing career with England and Manchester United.
The 38-year-old former United and England striker had a sensational impact at Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Everton in 2004.
Rooney, who became the club’s all-time leading scorer, lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups.
During his time at Old Trafford, Rooney forged a legendary attacking trident alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez under Ferguson.
The former United captain admitted that he had a close relationship with fellow club legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who was “similar” to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“We had a really good relationship, but we were the complete opposites. It was funny,” Rooney said.
“Ronaldo was such a good character. Some of the stuff he used to do, with laughing and messing around, was similar to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.”
Rooney on ‘winding up’ Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo shot to superstardom during his first spell at United, with legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson signing him from Sporting CP.
The 39-year-old Portuguese forward lifted the first of his five Ballon d’Or awards at United before he made his blockbuster move to Real Madrid in 2009.
Rooney admitted that he didn’t pass up the opportunity to ‘wind up’ Ronaldo over his appearance, with his fellow United legend bragging about his looks.
However, the former DC United and Derby County boss revealed that both he and Ronaldo would “play pranks on the manager” and had a close relationship at United.
“He would look into the mirror telling himself he is beautiful,” Rooney added.
“Then there is me, who is the complete opposite – I did not have his looks! I was always telling him he was ugly.
“I used to say, ‘No, you’re not’ – messing around – but it used to wind him up.
“The two of us would always play pranks on the manager and I would pick him up at times to take him to training or to the hotel.”