Wayne Rooney: United legend received death threats after Old Trafford move

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed that his move to Old Trafford sparked an intense reaction from some Everton supporters. The Englishman began his youth career on Merseyside before breaking into the senior side at the age of 16.

Rooney soon became a first-team regular for the Toffees and his performances caught the eye of the Old Trafford hierarchy.

The Red Devils came calling in the summer of 2004 and prised him away from Goodison Park, but his departure was not well received by some Everton fans. The Englishman has now shed light on the ordeal.

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show , Rooney recalled how his family had to bear the brunt of his move to United.

“I got death threats. My parents’ house was getting spray painted and smashed up. My girlfriend at the time, wife now, her house was getting spray painted. I think that’s where you have to be mentally strong. The people around you have to help.”

“Leaving was difficult because I went to Manchester United , and Liverpool and Manchester was a big rivalry so that made it a lot more difficult. But I was always of a mindset of ‘I don’t care’. I knew what I wanted and I knew how to get there.”

“I had to stay tough in my mind. This was people from my city so it was tough but I thought ‘I don’t care’, you have to be selfish and make these decisions.”

The Englishman returned to Everton in the summer of 2017, after ending his stay at Old Trafford and spent one season at Goodison Park.

Rooney’s eldest son, Kai Rooney, is currently part of United’s youth ranks and could make his debut for the club in the coming years. United’s record goalscorer went on to explain how important it is for young players to have a strong support network.

“Now the difference is social media. When I was young, I was in the local newspapers and so everyone in Liverpool really knew me.”

“Now I have it with my boy who’s 16 and he’s on social media. He plays for my United, he’s sponsored by Puma and there’s hundreds of thousands or millions of people watching them when they’re that young, and I didn’t have that really.”

“Being a young player and going into the first team especially, you’re getting judged. Rightly or wrongly, you get judged and that’s where you need the people around you, people at the club or your family to keep you in a good place.”

“We can all get carried away with social media as well. So it’s really important that the people who are close to you have your best interest. It’s the main thing.”

Rooney registered 253 goals and 142 assists in 559 appearances for United during his career, and was part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s fabled side that won the Premier League and Champions League double in the 2007/08 season.

Source: Premier League Website .

The reaction to Rooney’s departure from Everton highlights the strong connection that fans feel with their club and how they are emotionally attached with homegrown players. Thankfully, the Englishman was able to make a fairytale return to his boyhood club later in his career.

Despite his association with Everton, Rooney remains an Old Trafford legend and is fondly remembered by United fans. His tenacity, work ethic and selflessness on the pitch live vivid in the memory of fans, as does his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City.

– Friday, 5 December 2025

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