Why Rooney Celebrated with Man City Players After 6-1 Derby Defeat

Wayne Rooney Reflects on a Historic Derby

Wayne Rooney has experienced many highs and lows in Manchester derby matches. One of the most notable moments was when he joined City players for a celebration following one of Manchester United’s most humiliating defeats during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure.

Recently, Rooney shared this experience in a conversation with former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show. United and City are set to clash again this Sunday.

‘Get Me Off This Pitch’

One derby that stands out is the infamous 6-1 loss at Old Trafford in October 2011. Rooney remarked, “That was a crucial moment for City. You could sense they were closing the gap on us.” He characterized the experience as agonizing, particularly in the second half when it felt like an avalanche of goals was raining down. “I kept thinking, ‘get me off this pitch,'” he said.

Despite such a defeat, Rooney had a birthday celebration to attend that night. “I had invited Joe Hart, Gareth Barry, and several City players, so it was impossible to back out. Family and friends had made arrangements to celebrate with me.” He humorously recalled a moment from the party when he and other players performed a Backstreet Boys song. “Perhaps I should have canceled the party, but I had obligations to the people who planned everything.”

‘I Was So Bad in That Game’ – The Overhead Kick

Months prior to that 6-1 match, Rooney scored one of the most legendary goals in the Premier League during a separate derby. His overhead kick secured a 2-1 victory for United in February 2011—an accomplishment that earned the prestigious Premier League Goal of the 20 Seasons award in 2012.

Reflecting on that game, Rooney commented, “I played dreadfully; it was one of the worst performances I’ve had. I couldn’t even control the ball.” However, he noted the significance of the goal at such a pivotal moment in a derby match.

Among his favorite derby memories was a tight 1-0 win in 2007, propelled by a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo, which brought United closer to the title. “The following day, we clinched the league,” he shared excitedly, reliving the moment that marked the start of his own Premier League title journey.

Rooney & Wright-Phillips Discuss Footballing Legacy

In the podcast, Rooney and Wright-Phillips also touched on the legacies of footballing families. Wright-Phillips spoke about the challenges faced by next-generation players, sharing insights from his own experiences and those of his son D’Margio, who plays for Belgian club Beerschot, and his Arsenal legend father, Ian Wright.

“It’s tough for kids with famous parents,” he noted. “They face increased expectations and scrutiny.” Wright-Phillips expressed concern for his daughter, who has felt pressure similar to what he faced as a young footballer.

Rooney mentioned that his son, Kai, has begun playing for Manchester United in the Under-18 Premier League at just 15 years of age. He pointed out the added pressure of playing under the watchful eyes of fans, especially when legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Carrick have children on the same team. “It’s not easy for them. They have to be prepared for the spotlight.”