'David Moyes wasn’t the same person at Manchester United than he was at Everton. He never felt that he could have the same control': Wayne Rooney opens up on his former manager

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Wayne Rooney and David Moyes worked together and both Everton and Manchester United

Wayne Rooney and David Moyes
Wayne Rooney and David Moyes were reunited at Manchester United in 2013

Wayne Rooney has revealed David Moyes was a different manager when at Manchester United compared with his experience of working with him at Everton.

United and England legend Rooney, now manager of Plymouth Argyle, first worked with Moyes when he was coming through the professional ranks at Everton.

The two parted ways when Rooney joined United in 2004 but were reunited nine years later after Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in the hotseat.

For Moyes it didn’t go according to plan, with the Scottish manager leaving Old Trafford just nine moths into his six-year contract following poor results.

And Rooney has now shared his opinion on why Moyes struggled at United.

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Rooney believes that Moyes needed power and control – as he had enjoyed for 11 successful years at Everton – something that the Scot never truly had at Manchester United.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Rooney said: “I was a player under David Moyes at Everton and Manchester United.

“And the main thing for me was that he wasn’t the same person at United than he was at Everton.

“He never felt that he could have the control like he did at Everton and unfortunately, he was always going to struggle at a club like Manchester United.”

David Moyes and Rooney at Manchester United

David Moyes was sacked in his first season as Manchester United manager

Moyes and Rooney didn’t always see eye-to-eye during their Manchester reunion.

The former England striker came close to joining Chelsea after manager Moyes said in pre-season that he was not his number one striker, that honour going to Robin van Persie.

But the clubs failed to agree a deal and Rooney eventually ended up as United’s top scorer in the league that season – with 17 goals.

Moyes was sacked four games before the end of the campaign after a 2-0 defeat at former club Everton.

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Jack Lacey-Hatton
Jack Lacey-Hatton
Freelance writer

Jack has worked as a sports reporter full-time since 2021. He previously worked as the Chief Women’s Football Writer at the Mirror, covering the England Women’s national team and the Women’s Super League. Jack has reported on a number of major sporting events in recent years including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the ground in Australia. When not writing on football, he can often be spotted playing the game somewhere in west London.