- A Man United star says Wayne Rooney was even more wild as a youngster
- Rooney was sent off for fighting during an Under 14s match while at Everton
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A current Manchester United star has revealed that Wayne Rooney was even more wild when he was a youngster.
Rooney, who spent much of his career at United, was known for being hot-tempered as a player.
That trait has remained with Rooney into management – the Plymouth boss was sent off against Blackburn recently.
It has been disclosed that Rooney was once sent off for fighting during an Under-14s match when he was at Everton.
Rooney’s ability stood out from a young age, as did his aggression.
A Manchester United star revealed that Wayne Rooney was even more wild as a youngster
Rooney was sent off for fighting during an Under-14s match when he was at Everton
The United legend received six red cards in his club career and was booked 133 times
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton was at United as a youngster and returned to the Red Devils in 2021.
Heaton recalls playing against Rooney when he was at Everton, with the striker showing even more of a wild side than he did in his senior career.
Heaton told United’s official website: ‘I played against him a number of times when he was at Everton.
‘We were obviously the same age and he was even more wild when he was younger, I think!
‘I can remember now, we played away, I think we were Under-14s or Under-15s, and him and our centre-half were fighting on the pitch – and I literally mean fighting!
‘Both got red cards, so I sort of knew of him at the time.
‘He was obviously an incredible player with incredible ability, but he also had that fiery temperament, so yeah, [I’ve got] some real interesting memories of him.’
United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has some ‘interesting’ memories of Rooney as a youngster
Rooney received six red cards during his club career, while he was booked on 133 occasions.
He was also dismissed twice while playing for England, including his memorable red card against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.
Having started his senior career at Everton, Rooney joined United in 2004 and won an array of trophies during his time at Old Trafford as well as becoming the club’s highest ever scorer with 253 goals.
Rooney returned to Everton for a brief spell before moving to DC United and then ended his playing career at Derby. He was England’s record scorer with 53 goals before his tally was surpassed by Harry Kane.
After stepping up to manage Derby, he then returned to DC United as manager. Rooney then managed Birmingham prior to taking charge of Plymouth.
