Iconic former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a personal call to Wayne Rooney after a famous incident involving the Manchester United and England legend.
Wayne Rooney first arrived at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure and had a prolific playing spell under the legendary 82-year-old Scotsman.
Signed from Everton in a deal worth £27m in 2004, Rooney went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored a whopping 253 times for United.
The 38-year-old former England striker also eclipsed fellow club legend Sir Bobby Charlton as United’s all-time leading scorer during his time at Old Trafford.
Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League and two League Cups under Ferguson before the Scotsman retired from management in 2013.
He continued his career after Ferguson left United and later lifted a League Cup and a Europa League under Jose Mourinho and an FA Cup under Louis van Gaal.
Rooney, who became United captain under Louis van Gaal, would leave Old Trafford after a legendary spell and returned to boyhood club Everton in 2017.
Rooney reveals Ferguson’s phone call
Speaking on The Overlap, Wayne Rooney opened up about his time on the international stage and crossing paths with Portugal as an England player.
Rooney had broken a bone in his foot during England’s quarter-final clash against Portugal at Euro 2004 and was forced off the pitch after 27 minutes.
The Three Lions would crash out of Euro 2004 at the hands of Portugal on penalties, with United legend Cristiano Ronaldo scoring in the shootout.
Fast-forward to 2006 and Rooney would come up against Portugal at the World Cup, only for the United legend to be sent off in the second half.
Rooney was sent off after 62 minutes for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho, with Cristiano Ronaldo urging then-referee Horacio Elizondo to take action.
The former Three Lions captain was dismissed and Ronaldo was later spotted aiming a wink after ex-United teammate Rooney was sent off.
Portugal went on to beat 10-man England on penalties at the 2006 World Cup, with Rooney now admitting that Sir Alex Ferguson called him about the incident.
Rooney revealed that former United boss Ferguson checked to see if he was okay, with the England legend claiming Ronaldo was a “bit scared” about what happened.
“We were trying to get him [Ronaldo] booked for diving,” he said.
“[The plan was to try] If I could get Ronaldo sent off, 100 per cent. I spoke to him in the tunnel after the game.
“Wished him luck for the rest of the tournament and it was after that I think Sir Alex called me up to make sure I was okay. I was fine, I think Ronaldo was a bit scared, I had no issues [with the incident].”
Rooney wants England to beat Portugal
Rooney admitted that he would be keen for England to face Portugal in the final of Euro 2024 and for the Three Lions to beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
When asked about teams he would like England to beat at Euro 2024, he said: “Probably Germany, yeah.
“But just because of my experiences, I would say Portugal as well [as the team I want England to beat the most].
“Broke me in 2004, I got sent off in 2006, and they beat us on penalties both them times. I’d love to see England beat Portugal in the final [of Euro 2024].”