We look at Wayne Rooney’s maddest moments, on and off the pitch.
5. Swearing into camera after West Ham hat-trick
After providing the main role in United’s magnificent come-back at Upton Park, Rooney came under the scrutiny due to inappropriate celebration right in front of the camera. A free-kick, a measured low strike from 18 yards and a penalty overturned a 2-0 lead by the Hammers who were cruising until the 65th minute. The controversial moment happened in the 79th minute when Rooney completed his 15-minute-hat-trick and said a couple of juicy swear-words right into the camera, distributing the footage all over the world. The FA punished apologetic Rooney with a two-match-ban, of which one was a FA Cup semi-final clash against local rivals Manchester City, the game United eventually lost. While Rooney and his team-mates, alongside with some former footballers insisted on rescinding the ban describing the situation as “something that’s done in a heat of the moment”, the FA panel were merciless and stood by their initial decision.
4. Kicked Stewart Downing to prevent counter attack
In the last season’s Old Trafford clash against West Ham, United were leading 2-1 through fine volley by Rooney and precise right-footed striker by Van Persie, while Sakho scored a scrappy header for the visitors. The second half was much more edgy for United fans, courtesy of red card picked up by Rooney. Shaw tried to put the ball back into the danger zone after United wasted a corner, but Downing intercepted the ball some 25 yards of his goal and started to charge forward. A reminiscence of teenage Rooney appeared, as he needlessly kicked West Ham star from behind in very much controllable situation. United’s icon immediately realised what he had done, leaving his team with 10 men for more than half-an-hour left to play. Van Gaal defended his captain for making „a professional foul“, but reaction would surely be different if miraculous de Gea save and unbelievable Young clearance in the dying moments of the match didn’t secure three points for the home side.
3. Kicking Montenegro’s Dzudovic and missing the first two games of Euro 2012
England secured the participation at the EURO 2012 held in Poland and Ukraine before the final qualifying match away in Montenegro, who were battling with Switzerland for the play-off place. England were winning 2-1 in the 74th minute, when Rooney miscontrolled the ball, which was taken by home-player Dzudovic. In a moment of frustration, England talisman kicked Dzudovic from behind and earned a straight red card, which meant automatic ban from the main tournament. Rooney sent a personal letter of apology to UEFA and while the football public and media expected one-game-ban, European football organisation punished Rooney with three matches, which eventually meant missing the whole of the group stage and potential exclusion from Roy Hodgson’s squad. After the FA appeal and Dzudovic statement in which he defended Rooney, UEFA reduced the ban on two matches. Rooney scored the only goal in a controversial game against Ukraine he was supposed to miss, as well as his penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Italy, but England title pursuit ended too early and the semi-final match against their arch-nemesis Germany wasn’t destined to be played.
2. Stamping on Ricardo Carvalho
England’s 2006 World Cup hopes ended in rather typical fashion. No goals were scored after 120 minutes of quarter-final match against Portugal and the Lions were denied of semi-final by opposition goalkeeper Ricardo. However, “the golden generation” were weakened numerically after 20-year-old Rooney reacted rashly in a duel and stamped on Ricardo Carvalho’s groin area. Rooney pushed his United team-mate Ronaldo who tried to put pressure on the Argentine referee Elizondo, which caused a long-summer saga Sir Alex Ferguson had to deal with. England’s striker was sent off in 62nd minute of the game and became a scapegoat for a national failure in the same fashion as did David Beckham in 1998 for kicking current Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone. England was knocked out on penalties on that occasion too, but questionable decisions by coaches and poor penalties in a shoot-out fell down in shadow of United’s players’ sending offs.
1. Getting knocked-out while having a boxing session in his house
One of the most bizarre stories of the past Premier League season was definitely taped improvised boxing match in Wayne Rooney’s house. The leaked footage of Rooney getting knocked-out by Stoke defender and former United’s Academy product Phil Bardsley became media sensation over night. United striker had to deal with the attention on a day of the home match against Tottenham, first of the hectic league fixture-list which were supposed to define United’s hopes of Champions league football. There were genuine worries about Rooney’s well-being because of the widely spread footage that shows United and England captain falling on his back and his head only just missing the kitchen furniture. Other present members of ‘the private event in a private home’ as Rooney described it denied any injury or scare, claiming that the incident happened weeks back, days before Rooney sunk Sunderland with a brace. United’s top goal-scorer last season had the last laugh, as he scored an impressive goal past Hugo Lloris and celebrated in the only manner possible. Simulation of his knock-out ended “the story for one day”, rather amusing and overall positive episode of United’s season.
At least he has a sense of humour though…
