Wayne Rooney has revealed that despite netting an impressive 68 goals across two standout seasons at Manchester United, he felt ‘bored’ during this period.

The iconic former striker, now 40, candidly shared that even at his peak performance as a No. 9 under Sir Alex Ferguson, he didn’t find the game as enjoyable as expected.

Throughout Rooney’s illustrious 13-year tenure at the club, Ferguson deployed him in various roles. Notably, he played as a pure striker during the 2009/10 season and once more in 2011/12.

“I was leaving the pitch without any real enjoyment,” Rooney admitted. “I love playing football and being part of the action, so even though I was scoring and we were winning, I craved more involvement.”

Rooney further elaborated on the challenge forwards face in staying patient and poised, waiting for the perfect moment to make their move.

Wayne Rooney, pictured back in 2009/10 during his best season, says he was ‘bored’

Rooney, pictured with Sir Alex Ferguson during training in 2011, played as an out-and-out striker but wanted to be involved in the game more

Erling Haaland has become the master of biding his time and finding the back of the net at the mere whiff of an opportunity but Rooney preferred to have more touches and involve himself in the build-up. 

‘I didn’t ask Sir Alex to move position, loved scoring goals and at times playing up front but it is a hard skill to learn, you have to be very patient and it takes time to learn. 

‘I could play one game with Berbatov in a different role then change again with Tevez,’ he added about having to be versatile and adaptable for the team. 

During the 2009/10 season, Rooney netted 25 Premier League goals, five in the Champions League, two in the EFL Cup and one in the Community Shield. 

But he only managed six assists, showing how his role and involvement in general play had reduced. 

United won the EFL Cup that season but were beaten to the title by Chelsea. 

In the 2011/12 season, Rooney also bagged 34 goals, with 27 of those coming in the top flight during the heartbreaking campaign for Man United that saw them lose the title on goal difference to Man City on the final day. 

Sergio Aguero’s famous last-gasp winner for City over QPR consigned United to the runners-up spot after they had taken care of their own game by beating Sunderland away from home.  

Rooney explained on his podcast that he came off the pitch unhappy despite being on top form

Rooney netted 68 goals across two seasons at the peak of his powers 

Perhaps Rooney would remember his contributions across the two seasons with greater affection had they resulted in the Premier League crown.  

Rooney being a mainstay in United’s attack for more than a decade saw him change strike partners on numerous occasions. 

Robin van Persie, Dimitar Berbatov, Louis Saha and Javier Hernandez all dovetailed with Rooney but out of all of them, Carlos Tevez was his favourite. 

‘I really enjoyed playing with Carlos Tevez,’ he went on.

‘There was a big thing in the papers when we signed him saying we were too similar and couldn’t play together, so we were like, “we’ll show you”, we bounced off each other.’

Carlos Tevez (left) was Rooney’s favourite strike partner during his time at Old Trafford

Rooney and Tevez were a nightmare for opposition defences with their aggression and tenacity and combined for 47 goals during their partnership. 

His output when combined with Berbatov was also outstanding and over the Bulgarian’s four years at the club they netted 160 times together, eclipsing the 109 he managed with Hernandez. 

During Rooney’s podcast he was also asked to make his dream five-aside team out of current Premier League players. 

He opted to go ultra-attacking with a heavy English influence, saying: ‘Phil Foden definitely, in five-aside in tight areas would be brilliant, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka. No goalkeeper, Caicedo and Salah.’