It’s not very often that Liverpool will play a positive role in anything Everton-related, but for Wayne Rooney, they were one of the factors behind his move to Manchester United.
After coming through the Everton academy to make his senior debut at the age of 16, Rooney was sold to Man United in 2004 and went on to establish himself as one of England’s best players.
Rooney signed for £27m after lighting up the stage at Euro 2004 and scoring 17 goals in 77 appearances in his first spell at Goodison Park.
With the world at his feet, the boyhood Toffees fan had a selection of clubs to choose from but went for Man United and cited one reason in particular.
- READ MORE: David Moyes tells crazy story that Everton fans will love on Wayne Rooney and Thomas Gravesen
Wayne Rooney reveals why he left Everton to join Man United
United weren’t the only club interested in the then-18-year-old at the time. Newcastle United also wanted to sign Wayne Rooney but in the end he chose to remain in the north west, making the short switch from Merseyside to Manchester.
Asked about why he chose to go to Old Trafford in 2004, the former England captain revealed that the rivalry Everton and United share towards Liverpool was a huge motivator.
Speaking on The Overlap in May 2024, he said: “I was growing up in the nineties watching Manchester United, like in awe of what I was seeing and obviously being an Everton fan, we weren’t really going to win anything.
“So my best way of having a go at Liverpool fans was Man United winning. I grew up watching them.
“Then the minute I knew Manchester United were interested in signing me, I was like that’s the only place I’m going.”
Wayne Rooney’s record against Liverpool
The Evertonian enjoyed a very successful career but Liverpool was one of his favourite sides to play against was against Liverpool.
He lost less than half of the 30 games he played against the red half of Merseyside and scored seven times.
| Wayne Rooney stats vs Liverpool | |
| Games played | 30 |
| Games won | 13 |
| Games drawn | 8 |
| Games lost | 9 |
| Goals scored | 7 |
It’s not very often that Liverpool will play a positive role in anything Everton-related, but for Wayne Rooney, they were one of the factors behind his move to Manchester United.
After coming through the Everton academy to make his senior debut at the age of 16, Rooney was sold to Man United in 2004 and went on to establish himself as one of England’s best players.
Rooney signed for £27m after lighting up the stage at Euro 2004 and scoring 17 goals in 77 appearances in his first spell at Goodison Park.
With the world at his feet, the boyhood Toffees fan had a selection of clubs to choose from but went for Man United and cited one reason in particular.
READ MORE: David Moyes tells crazy story that Everton fans will love on Wayne Rooney and Thomas Gravesen
Photo credit should read PAUL BARKER/AFP via Getty ImagesWayne Rooney reveals why he left Everton to join Man United
United weren’t the only club interested in the then-18-year-old at the time. Newcastle United also wanted to sign Wayne Rooney but in the end he chose to remain in the north west, making the short switch from Merseyside to Manchester.
Asked about why he chose to go to Old Trafford in 2004, the former England captain revealed that the rivalry Everton and United share towards Liverpool was a huge motivator.
Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images
Speaking on The Overlap in May 2024, he said: “I was growing up in the nineties watching Manchester United, like in awe of what I was seeing and obviously being an Everton fan, we weren’t really going to win anything.
“So my best way of having a go at Liverpool fans was Man United winning. I grew up watching them.
“Then the minute I knew Manchester United were interested in signing me, I was like that’s the only place I’m going.”
