Wayne Rooney

Time's arrow marches on as people near their 40s and get a little grayer and larger, but 38-year-old WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre has avoided that pointed path as he enjoys his athletic prime.

That isn't the case for many other current or ex-athletes, including Manchester United legend and fellow 38-year-old Wayne Rooney, who took in a WWE live event on Friday in London.

And on that day, McIntyre did a little in-ring trolling, criticizing the ex-star's appearance as he smiled and sat ringside.

I’m the same age as @WayneRooney…

What happened to you fella? pic.twitter.com/civBaLjXcS

— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) April 20, 2024

McIntyre did take time to call Rooney a "British legend" on multiple occasions, calling him "the freaking man" in his day.

McIntyre seems immune to aging right now as he competes in the top tier of professional wrestling, notably beating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania for the World Heavyweight Championship (before dropping it to an enterprising Damian Priest thanks to his Money in the Bank briefcase).

Rooney's professional soccer-playing days are over, and his prime occurred with Manchester United in the mid-2000s to mid-2010s. Like nearly every other person, he noticeably appears older as he nears his 40s. Certainly nothing wrong with that as the circle of life continues.

Rooney appeared to take everything in stride as he enjoyed the festivities around him. Meanwhile, McIntyre is hellbent on getting his title back eventually, but he took the L in the ring in London, falling to Jey Uso.

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Wayne Rooney might be going from the pitch to the ring.

ESPN's Nick Parkinson reported the former Manchester United star has been in discussions with Misfits Boxing promotion about fighting in its crossover boxing series in the future. The two sides haven't moved past the talking stages of potential negotiations.

While this wouldn't make Rooney a professional boxer since Misfits does not fall under the rules of the British Boxing Board of Control, it would be a headline event for a promotion company that is no stranger to such developments.

Misfits Boxing has featured YouTube stars KSI and Logan Paul, millionaire businessman Joe Fournier, reality TV star Idris Virgo, and social media influencer Alaena Vampira, among others, in fights.

Rooney is best known for his excellent soccer career that included five Premier League titles and a successful run on England's national team. He was the all-time leading goal scorer for England's national team until Harry Kane broke his record in March 2023.

Since his playing career, Rooney has been the manager of Major League Soccer's D.C. United, Championship side Birmingham City and Derby County in the Championship.

Next up might be a foray into boxing.

NFL legend Tom Brady has taken an active role with Birmingham City after purchasing a minority ownership stake in the English soccer club, according to newly hired manager Wayne Rooney.

"I have spoken to Tom, he is very ambitious to move this club forward," Rooney told reporters Thursday. "It's great to have him here, it's important for the players to see Tom Brady have an involvement. It's very clear that Tom is fully involved in the club."

Birmingham announced in August that Brady signed on to become a minority owner and the chairman of the advisory board. Club chairman Tom Wagner called it "a statement of intent," seemingly alluding to Brady's success on the gridiron.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion acknowledged he was a relative neophyte with English soccer but added his understanding of what it takes to succeed "might translate pretty well."

Here we go! Proud to be part of the Blues family 💙💙💙 @BCFC pic.twitter.com/lSEbzzpcBk

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) August 3, 2023

However, whatever honeymoon period the 46-year-old enjoyed might be over since some supporters weren't thrilled with the decision to sack manager John Eustace.

https://twitter.com/RichJolly/status/1711326777803456850

Birmingham is sixth in the Championship table with 18 points through 11 matches. While the Blues are 10 points off an automatic promotion spot, they're on track to qualify for the promotion playoffs.

Hiring Rooney was a bit of a risk as well.

He finished 21st in the Championship with Derby County in 2020-21 after taking over for Phillip Cocu midway through the campaign. Derby was then relegated the following year, though that was due to a 21-point deduction after entering administration.

Brady and his fellow owners will get plenty of credit if Rooney gets Birmingham up to the Premier League. Should the club's final position worsen from its current standing, though, many will question whether letting Eustace go was the right call.

Two days after firing John Eustace, Birmingham City has hired Wayne Rooney as its new manager.

The club announced on Wednesday that Rooney has agreed to a three-and-a-half year deal.

He issued a statement in the announcement about his new role:

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Birmingham City Football Club at such an exciting time. It is very clear that they have a plan and are committed to realising their ambition for the club. We are fully aligned on what is expected. I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity. It's a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can't wait to get started.

"We have some exciting young players in the squad, and some who are still to break through into the First Team, alongside a core of experienced senior professionals. I have a clear way that I want the team to play, and my coaching staff and I will work hard to implement it. We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet.

"I've played at St. Andrew's and Birmingham City fans were always loud and passionate about their team. It was a really difficult place to come as an opponent and now I get to experience what it is like to have them behind us. My job is to elevate the Club to the next level and I can't wait to get started. I know what the expectations are and our job is to deliver."

Rooney is joining the Blues two months after NFL legend Tom Brady bought a minority stake in the club and was named chairman of the new advisory board.

The appointment of Rooney comes after a parting of ways with D.C. United when the club failed to reach the MLS playoffs. He went 14-14-25 across two seasons. The 37-year-old had a 24-22-39 record in two seasons as Derby County's manager.

Rooney had a 20-year playing career from 2002 to 2021. He is the all-time leading goal-scorer for Manchester United with 253 in 559 appearances. His record of 53 goals for England's national team was broken by Harry Kane earlier this year.

Birmingham City has a 5-3-3 record through its first 11 matches of the EFL Championship season. Its next fixture is against Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium on Oct. 21.

D.C. United manager Wayne Rooney believes Lionel Messi "won't find it easy" to transition to Major League Soccer.

After two years in the French Ligue 1 with Paris St Germain, Messi will sign with Inter Miami, the team announced Saturday.

"He won't find it easy here," Rooney told The Sunday Times' Jonathan Northcroft (h/t ESPN.) "It sounds mad, but players who come in find it's a tough league. The traveling, the different conditions in different cities, and there's a lot of energy and intensity on the pitch."

Messi is signed through the end of the 2025 season at a reported annual average value of between $50 and $60 million, per the Sports Business Journals' Alex Silverman.

Before beginning his managerial career in 2020, Rooney made a similar journey to the United States in the final years of his playing career.

After playing in the Premier League from 2002 to 2018, where he won five titles with Manchester United, Rooney moved to the MLS to compete for D.C. United in 2018.

Rooney had a successful two seasons with D.C. After contributing to two goals in his MLS debut, he went on to record 23 goals and 15 assists in 48 games. He was also at times outwardly critical of the MLS, especially regarding team travel.

Gutted about result last night. We deserved more. Looking forward to a 12 hour travel day which could be done in 6 but hey this is mls. We will get ready for red bulls Wednesday. #Charterflights #msl

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) August 18, 2019

At the time, charter flights were limited per team, and the majority of MLS squads flew commercial to road games.

The number of league charter flights increased in 2020 under the league's new CBA. Even with these improvements, the distance involved in MLS travel is significantly more than its European counterparts, including Ligue 1.

MLS teams travel more than their counterparts in other leagues, but exactly how much more? This comes up every now and again (hey there @TaylorTwellman), but I've never seen a direct comparison before, so I put a couple of things together. Spoiler alert: it is indeed a lot more. pic.twitter.com/gXN4MHlxdF

— buckofalltrades (@buckofalltrades) August 21, 2020

Rooney also cited the "energy and intensity on the pitch" as something to consider when adjusting to the MLS. In 2017, the MLS beat out Ligue 1's average attendance for the first time, and crowd sizes have only increased since.

Joining the MLS was not the ideal outcome for Messi, who indicated to Spanish news outlets that he would have preferred to play for Barcelona had it not been for the club's financial troubles, according to the New York Times. For the MLS, however, it will be an enormous boost similar to David Beckham leaving Real Madrid for the LA Galaxy in 2007.

Given that Inter Miami tickets almost immediately sold out following the news of his acquisition, the MLS will hope Messi's adjustment goes as smoothly as possible.

The MLS All-Star Game will be played on July 19, with the league's stars taking on English Premier League giant Arsenal.

MLS fans, media members and players will determine 12 of the players on the roster, while MLS All-Star head coach Wayne Rooney will select another 12 and league commissioner Don Garber will select the final two.

Alongside voting for the starting 11, fans can also participate in the MLS All-Star Captain Fan Vote. Supporters will have the opportunity to select which player will wear the armband for the match.

In total, fans will vote for one goalkeeper, four defensive positions (one right-back, one left-back, two center-backs), three midfield positions (one defensive mid, two attacking mids) and three forwards.

The MLS All-Star Captain Fan Vote begins June 21 and ends on June 29. The results will be announced on July 5.

Below, we'll offer some predictions for the starting 11 and analyze some of the top potential choices.

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Predictions

GK: Roman Bürki, St. Louis City SC

LB: Álvaro Barreal, FC Cincinnati

CB: Miles Robinson, Atlanta United

CB: Matt Miazga, FC Cincinnati

RB: Juan Mosquera, Portland Timbers

DM: Aidan Morris, Columbus Crew

AM: Thiago Almada, Atlanta United

AM: Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC

FWD: Cristian Espinoza, San Jose Earthquakes

FWD: Dénis Bouanga, Los Angeles FC

FWD: Christian Benteke, D.C. United

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Analysis

Many of the players listed in the predictions section are obviously up for debate. There is a ton of talent in the league.

The one player who isn't really debatable, however, is Nashville's Mukhtar, who has posted 10 goals and seven assists on the season.

Only Atlanta's Thiago Almada (seven goals, eight assists) and Philadelphia's Dániel Gazdag (seven goals, eight assists)—who was one of the hardest players to leave off the starting 11—come close to Mukhtar's combined goals and assists tally (17).

The player who shares the lead in goals with Mukhtar this season, LAFC's Bouanga, was another no-brainer selection. It got tricky from there, though, with players like FC Dallas' Jesús Ferreira, Philadelphia's Julián Carranza, Seattle's Jordan Morris and Atlanta's Giorgios Giakoumakis all making strong cases to be considered at the forward position.

However, Espinoza's eight goals and four assists and Benteke's aerial threat made them strong choices to join Bouanga in the attacking third.

Given the roster spots to be filled by Rooney and Garber, it's possible all of them will make the final cut.

D.C. United is hiring Wayne Rooney as its next manager, according to Pablo Maurer of The Athletic.

Maurer reported the former Derby County manager arrived Sunday at Dulles International Airport in order to meet with club officials and finalize the deal.

The 36-year-old spent two seasons at D.C. United as a player, scoring 23 goals in 48 matches across 2018 and 2019.

Rooney's tenure came to an end in part because his wife, Coleen, was eager for a return to England. He signed with Derby County, starting out only as a player but then assuming managerial duties in November 2020.

In what proved to be his only full season at the helm, Derby finished 23rd in the English Championship and was relegated to League One.

Granted, the Rams faced a 12-point deduction after going into administration, so Rooney was dealt a difficult hand. Making any firm conclusions about his overall suitability would be unfair.

While the threat of relegation doesn't loom for D.C. United, the former England international inherits another difficult situation.

D.C. missed the playoffs in 2020 and 2021, and the streak is likely to extend to three years.

The club is tied with the Chicago Fire for the fewest points (17) in the Eastern Conference, and it has the conference's worst goal differential (minus-14). That latter figure is skewed by D.C. United's last match, a 7-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union on Saturday.

Rooney will have the opportunity to rebuild his coaching stock because he's facing a stiff challenge in the nation's capital.

Former Everton and Manchester United star and current Derby County manager Wayne Rooney said he would isolate during his playing career and drink to cope with the stress that accompanied his playing career. 

Rooney opened up during an interview with Oliver Holt of the Mail on Sunday:

In my early years at Manchester United, probably until we had my first son, Kai, I locked myself away really. I never went out. There were times you'd get a couple of days off from football and I would actually lock myself away and just drink, to try to take all that away from my mind. People might know that I liked a drink at times or went out but there was a lot more to it than just that. It was what was going on in my head.

Now, people would be more empowered to speak about that kind of thing. Back then, in my head and with other players, there was no way I could go into the United dressing room and start saying, 'This is how I am feeling,' because you just wouldn't do it. Then you would end up suffering internally rather than letting your thoughts out. Locking myself away made me forget some of the issues I was dealing with. It was like a binge.

Rooney, 36, was one of the best players of his generation. His 253 total goals for United represent a club record. He also was a regular fixture for England, scoring a record 53 goals in 120 appearances. No outfield player has featured more for the men's national team, and he was just five games shy of Peter Shilton's overall record.

But that success came with a lot of attention and criticism, a side of the game the young Rooney wasn't ready for when he made his professional debut at just 16. 

"It took a long time for me to get used to that and figure out how to deal with it. It was like being thrown in somewhere where you are just not comfortable. That was tough for me," he said. "I had made a lot of mistakes when I was younger, some in the press and some not in the press, whether that's fighting or whatever. For me to deal with that, deal with stuff that was in the newspapers, deal with the manager at the time, deal with family at the time, was very difficult."

Rooney said that the anger he felt gave him an edge on the field, granting him a level of aggressiveness and unpredictability that aided his play. But it also led to mistakes off the pitch, at least until he learned that he needed to talk to someone.

"A bad moment? It could be anything. That you weren't playing well, the pressure you put on yourself, which I always tried to hide. Sometimes I tried to hide it with over-confidence. Sometimes that's to mask the pressure you feel," he said. "It could have been when I had done something wrong off the field and pressure builds and even going into the local shops, you want to hide from everyone. It is embarrassing. I was embarrassed by it."

That led to Rooney isolating and comforting himself by drinking. He says he has a much better relationship with alcohol and has used his experiences as a player to help him be a better manager for his players at Derby County.

"Part of the problem I have is that I do trust people," he said. "That was exactly my first message to the players here at Derby: 'I will give you my trust, but I need it back.' Once that trust is broken, it is very difficult to recover. Yeah, people want stuff off you, but I take responsibility for that because some of the stuff I have done is my decisions and that's me leaving myself open."

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney retired from on-field competition on Friday, with Derby County announcing he has agreed to become their full-time manager through the summer of 2023.

Rooney's 19-year professional playing career began at Everton and also included a stop with MLS' D.C. United.

Rooney, who served as a player-manager for Derby following Phillip Cocu's sacking in November, retired from international competition in 2018.

The 35-year-old expressed optimism about the potential of the Rams, a Championship club that's currently 22nd in the table:

When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club. The Stadium, Training Ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive. Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me.

To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour and I can promise everyone involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.

His first match as Derby County's full-time manager comes on Saturday against Rotherham United at Pride Park.

Regardless of how his managerial career turns out, Rooney will always be remembered for his terrific tenure at Manchester United from 2004 through 2017.

His 253 goals for the Red Devils, including 183 in the Premier League, rank first all time in the storied club's history. He also ranks sixth in total appearances with 559.

Rooney's tenure with United was highlighted by five Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League triumph and 10 other trophies scattered across various competitions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEijg5OUqXg?

At the same time, he was serving as the leader of England's national team, ranking first in goals (53) and second in caps (120) for the Three Lions.

After his time at Old Trafford ended, he made a brief return to Everton, spent two seasons with D.C. United and made 35 appearances in a dual coaching-playing role for Derby County.

On B/R Live, fans can now watch full replays of 11 Champions League finals since 1999, all free. The finals are from 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2005 and 1999. These are complete match replays, from the UCL anthem to the trophy lift.

In addition to these 11 matches, B/R Live also has classic specials for Champions League finals from 1993-2018. These specials feature extended match highlights and analysis of each of those finals, which are all of the ones played under the Champions League banner. To see all of the UCL Finals specials and stream the first episode on B/R Live, go here.

Below, you can find short match summaries and highlights for the 11 full finals on B/R Live as well as direct links to stream them free.

       

Champions League Finals

2019 Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur | Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain

After heartbreak in the 2018 Champions League final, Liverpool returns to the final stage of the competition and this time completes the mission. In an all-English final against Cinderella squad Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds score an early penalty courtesy of Mohamed Salah then hold steady until Divock Origi seals the win with a late goal.

LIVERPOOL: CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE @LFCUSA pic.twitter.com/GIo1mjnlkr

— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) June 1, 2019

Stream the 2019 UCL Final on B/R Live here

      

2018 Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool | Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine

Speaking of the 2018 final, Real Madrid wins an unprecedented third Champions League trophy in a row and fourth in five seasons in a match defined by controversy, goalkeeper blunders and one of the best goals in UCL final history. The controversy arrives when a Sergio Ramos tackle forces Liverpool star Salah off with an injury just 30 minutes into the scoreless affair. Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema pounces on an error by Reds keeper Loris Karius to open the scoring six minutes into the second half. And Gareth Bale hits a stunning bicycle kick from the top of the box to give Real the lead for good on its way to a 3-1 victory.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1250182795013566467

Stream the 2018 UCL Final on B/R Live here

     

2017 Real Madrid 4-1 Juventus | Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales

Real Madrid becomes the first team in UEFA Champions League history to win the competition in back-to-back seasons. Cristiano Ronaldo opens the scoring in the 20th minute before Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic equalizes with a stunning overhead kick. But the Spanish club's firepower is too much in the second half, as Ronaldo scores again and Los Blancos roll to their third UCL trophy in four years.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1224785697204252680

Stream the 2017 UCL Final on B/R Live here

     

2015 Barcelona 3-1 Juventus | Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany

Barcelona tops Juventus 3-1 in a matchup of two clubs that had already won their domestic league and cups. Ivan Rakitic scores in the 4th minute and Neymar at 90+7, with Luis Suarez’s 68th-minute goal the one that puts Barcelona ahead for good on the way to its fifth Champions League title and another treble.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1224394871626027010

Stream the 2015 UCL Final on B/R Live

   

2014 Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (extra time) | Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

A thrilling final between city rivals delivers Real Madrid its long-awaited 10th European title, La Decima. Atletico Madrid grabs the lead just after the half-hour mark then digs in, holding on for dear life. But Sergio Ramos, in the now-iconic minute of 90+3, heads home the tying goal. Atletico has nothing left, physically or emotionally, in extra time, and Real takes advantage, pouring in three more goals to win the title.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1223650466728378368

Stream the 2014 UCL Final on B/R Live here

     

2013 Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund | Wembley Stadium, London, England

In an all-German final, Bayern Munich bounces back from its devastating loss in penalties the year before to Chelsea, claiming its fifth Champions League trophy. All three goals of the match come in the second half. Bayern's Mario Mandzukic hits the opener, but Ilkay Gundogan brings Dortmund level with a penalty only eight minutes later. Arjen Robben etches himself into Bayern lore with the dramatic title winner in the 89th minute.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1225827562275819520

Stream the 2013 UCL Final on B/R Live here

    

2011 Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United | Wembley Stadium, London, England 

In a rematch of the 2009 final, this edition at Wembley Stadium ends with a similar result. Both Barcelona and Manchester United were vying for their fourth Champions League trophy and a season double after winning their leagues, and it was the Catalan club which would grab it. In dominating fashion, Barcelona uses goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa to win, as Messi vaults himself into the echelon of the best players in the world.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1224013861222780934

Stream the 2011 UCL Final on B/R Live here 

     

2009 Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United | Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

Speaking of the 2009 final, Barcelona's win over Manchester United in Rome was its third Champions League victory and marked the passing of the torch from one era of dominance to another. Samuel Eto'o scores the first goal 10 minutes into the match, and Lionel Messi seals the win, his first UCL title, with one of his own in the 70th minute. The triumph completes a historic treble for the club, becoming the first Spanish team to accomplish the feat and setting up Messi's now illustrious career.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1222954631879249921

Stream the 2009 UCL Final on B/R Live here

     

2008 Manchester United 1-1 (6-5 penalties) Chelsea | Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

An all-English classic takes place, with Cristiano Ronaldo's opening goal for United evened out by Chelsea's Frank Lampard in the final minute of the first half. After no more goals in the second half or extra time, the match goes to penalties and ultimately reaches sudden death, at which time Manchester United prevails 6-5.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1222021483750445056

Stream the 2008 UCL Final on B/R Live here

     

2005 Liverpool 3-3 (3-2 penalties) AC Milan | Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey

The "Miracle of Istanbul" creates Liverpool legends. AC Milan led 3-0 after one half, but the Reds storm back in the second, scoring three goals in a wild six-minute stretch, one each from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso. The final reaches extra time and ultimately penalties, with Liverpool winning the shootout 3-2 to complete the iconic comeback.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1227669448976257025

Stream the 2005 UCL Final on B/R Live here

    

1999 Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich | Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Manchester United defeats Bayern Munich in a match that has early action and late drama. Mario Basler scores in the sixth minute for Bayern, which holds the lead all the way until second-half stoppage time, when Manchester United scores not once, but twice, with current manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hitting the winner.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1227324173917261835

Stream the 1999 UCL Final on B/R Live here