The striker came through the ranks at Everton but handed in a transfer request to force through a record-breaking switch to Old Trafford, but admits it was hard leaving Merseyside
Wayne Rooney insists he has “no regrets” over his move to Manchester United in 2004, despite leaving boyhood club Everton.
The striker rose to prominence at Goodison Park after coming through the youth academy and became the club’s then youngest ever scorer, before handing in a transfer request to force through an exit.
United paid €35 million for Rooney, making him the most expensive British teenager at the time, and while Rooney admits leaving Merseyside so young was hard he is convinced it was the right move for his career.
“It was a tough move for me to go from the Liverpool area to Manchester,” Rooney told Manchester Evening News. “I was a Scouse lad through and through and it was a difficult call for me to make.
“But I felt in terms of my football career it was the best thing for me to do and join United. A massive club and arguably the best manager of all time was there.
“I felt it was the right move for me to make and I knew they were in transition at the time.
“Cristiano Ronaldo was there, Darren Fletcher had just come through and they had some good young players. I felt it was right for me and, thankfully, it was the right move for me. I have had no regrets.”
Rooney scored his 46th goal for England on his 100th cap earlier in November, bringing him within four of the country’s all-time senior record, and the striker puts his return down to confidence on the pitch.
He added: “I’ve always been a player who has self-confidence and belief. If you have that attitude going into the game it does help you.
“When you’re younger it’s more off the cuff in terms of finishing, but when you get older you’re practising more, learning how to finish and as the years have gone on my finishing has got better.”