Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed in an interview that he never fell out with striker Wayne Rooney, but reaffirmed that the maverick star asked to leave the club at the end of last season.
Ferguson in his first interview after retirement with US TV network PBS claims that Rooney asked to leave the day after United won their 2012/13 Premier League title.
“He asked away,” said Ferguson as quoted by Sky Sports. “He came in the day after we had won the title. Nothing happened that I would get upset about.
“Wayne is unfortunate in the sense that he is England’s big white hope. So therefore, the media is always centred around Wayne.
“And he has people who advise him. And I think that’s where all that’s coming from.
“I never fell out with him at any time, you know. Sometimes I would discipline him, but sometimes they all need discipline.”
However, Ferguson is happy with the way Rooney has returned sharply for this season. The Scot believes that Manchester United’s refusal to sell him has helped recapture his best form. Rooney has scored five goals in all competitions so far and bagged three assists too for the Red Devils.
Ferguson added: “When the club refused to sell him to Chelsea, he realised his only job was Manchester United. It’s brought back his focus.
“It’s brought back his work ethic and his purpose, and, you know, he’s playing well again.”
Rooney’s future came under intense speculation over the summer but the England international always denied formally handing in a transfer request at Old Trafford.
Chelsea were interested to seize the opportunity of Rooney’s situation in the transfer window and saw their two-bids rejected for the England star.
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