Wayne Rooney Discusses Manchester United's Success and West Ham's Challenges
Wayne Rooney attributes Manchester United's success during his playing days to the camaraderie developed through playing video games on the team bus.
In a recent episode of his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United, Everton, and England forward shared that he and his teammates often engaged in five-versus-five matches on the military-themed game SOCOM using PlayStation Portable devices.
"I genuinely believe that a significant part of our success stemmed from playing on the PSP," Rooney stated, reflecting on his time when he won five Premier League titles and a Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"It fostered communication among us—we played it on the plane and on the team bus. It would be me, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, and Wes Brown. You had to talk, strategize, and even revive teammates when they were taken out; it was a crucial element of our success—ask any of those players, it was fantastic."
Rooney elaborated that the gaming styles of his teammates mirrored their on-field personas at Old Trafford. "How you played that game reflected how that player performed in real life," he noted. "Michael Carrick was the sneaky, calm one; you’d see him hiding and suddenly hear a grenade he had thrown bouncing by."
In contrast, Rooney described his own approach as aggressive, stating, "I was all in, right at the front lines, charging in there." However, not everyone enjoyed the noise, as Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar often expressed his frustration.
"Edwin van der Sar would get annoyed because we would be shouting on the team bus, trying to communicate our positions," Rooney recalled. "If there was just one player left on the opposing team, we needed to coordinate to flank them. Van der Sar would often move away from us to escape the chaos!"
West Ham Needs a 'Good Foundation'
Rooney also addressed West Ham's current struggles on his podcast, emphasizing the need for the club to establish a solid foundation instead of frequently changing managers, especially as Graham Potter faces increasing pressure.
Following a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, multiple sources indicated to BBC Sport that Potter is under serious internal scrutiny, with the club exploring managerial alternatives. Since taking over in January, Potter has led the team in 25 matches, winning just six, losing 14, and drawing five.
Nuno Espirito Santo, recently dismissed by Nottingham Forest, is reportedly among the candidates to replace Potter, along with former manager Slaven Bilic and ex-Wolves manager Gary O'Neil.
If West Ham decides to make a change, it would mark their third managerial appointment since David Moyes departed in May 2024.
"It takes time to bring in new players and let others go, and before you know it, the new manager isn't achieving results, leading to another change, and you're back at square one," Rooney explained. "A strong foundation would greatly benefit the club."
This season, West Ham has suffered four losses in five league matches, managing only a win against Nottingham Forest, and was eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Wolves. They currently sit 19th in the Premier League, having conceded 12 goals—only Wolves have a worse record—and they are tied for the fifth-lowest goals scored with just five.
The Hammers will face Everton on Monday, September 29, where they will reunite with Moyes. Rooney noted, "Clubs like Brentford and Brighton have clear playing styles because they identify managers who align with their philosophies. This consistency has led to their progress, unlike West Ham, which has been shifting from one philosophy to another, similar to Manchester United's recent transitions with Erik Ten Hag and Ruben Amorim."