In the world of football, teammates can make or break a player's experience. Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, recently revealed his pick for the worst teammate he ever had during his time at Old Trafford. The surprising choice was none other than club legend and all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
Ferdinand had the privilege of playing alongside some of football's greatest talents during his tenure at Manchester United. These included Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he also witnessed some less successful signings like Bebe and Kleberson.
Despite this mix of talent and disappointment on the team roster over the years, it was a record-holding player who Ferdinand named as his worst-ever teammate - Wayne Rooney.
Winning desire that led to conflict
The revelation came during an interview with legendary rugby star Rob Burrows on the Seven Meets podcast in 2023. According to Ferdinand, while there was never any doubt about Rooney's talent or commitment to winning games for United, it was this very desire that led to several training ground disagreements.
Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United legend, said:
"The worst team-mate I probably had the most arguments with Wayne Rooney, to be honest with you. Never came to blows, it was on the pitch. We never argued in training really, it was just match day, we probably argued once every two or three games, effing and blinding, screaming at each other because I wanted more from him.
"I knew what he was good at, and I knew he could do more. I’d want him to be more effective or something. The biggest thing for me with Wayne is he wanted to play 30 or 40-yard passes like Paul Scholes, and he could do it, he was that good. I wanted him to score 30 or 40 goals a season, because he could."
Ferdinand recounted a conversation with former England captain where Rooney expressed dissatisfaction with his role in the team despite having had one of his most successful seasons in terms of goal scoring.
From Striker to Number 10
Rooney’s discontent stemmed from feeling less involved in overall gameplay due to being positioned primarily as a striker. This led him to request more playtime as a number 10 - an attacking midfielder position which would allow him greater involvement throughout matches.
Despite these disagreements and labelling him as his 'worst teammate', it is important to note that Ferdinand still holds high regard for Rooney’s skills on field; so much so that he included Rooney in his all-time Premier League XI.
In the competitive world of sports, disagreements and conflicts are not uncommon. Rio Ferdinand's revelation about Wayne Rooney being his worst teammate at Manchester United is a testament to this fact. However, it also highlights the respect and admiration that can exist between players, even amidst disputes and disagreements. Despite their differences, Ferdinand acknowledges Rooney's talent by including him in his all-time Premier League XI - a clear indication of the complex dynamics within professional football teams.
