Wayne Rooney has experienced some of the most memorable Manchester derbies, both triumphant and painful. He even celebrated with opposition players after one of the worst defeats in Sir Alex Ferguson’s era. Rooney shared the story with former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips on his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show. City will host United on Sunday at 16:30 BST in their first game since the international break. Fans can watch the show on Sport YouTube and iPlayer or listen on streaming platforms.
get me off this pitch
One of the most shocking derbies came in October 2011, when City defeated United 6-1 at Old Trafford. “That felt like a big moment for City because they were closing the gap on us,” Rooney said. “To win 6-1 at Old Trafford was a statement. I remember being on the pitch—it was horrible. The second half felt like goal after goal, and I kept thinking, ‘oh, get me off this pitch.’”
Rooney could not switch off from the night despite the loss. “After a defeat like that, I usually go home. But I had a birthday party planned. Joe Hart, Gareth Barry, and a few City players were invited,” he said. “Family and friends had made plans to come. I couldn’t cancel it, so I went. We had United players and some City players together. I, Peter Crouch, and Joe Hart got up and performed a Backstreet Boys song. Looking back, maybe I should have canceled, but everyone had arranged babysitters and time off work.”
i was so bad in that game – the overhead kick
Months before the 6-1 defeat, Rooney scored one of the Premier League’s most iconic derby goals. His overhead kick secured a late 2-1 win over City in February 2011. The goal later won the Premier League Goal of the 20 Seasons award in 2012. “I played terribly in that game. It was one of my worst performances. I couldn’t control the ball,” Rooney admitted. “It became iconic because it was the derby and we won 2-1. Nobody practises overhead kicks, though.”
Rooney recalls his favourite derby memory from 2007 when United won 1-0 through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, edging closer to the title. “The next day, we won the league,” Rooney said. “It was my first Premier League title. We all went out, but we knew if we won that game against City, we would win the league.”
rooney and wright-phillips discuss footballing families
On the show, Rooney and Wright-Phillips talked about footballing fathers and children. Wright-Phillips has both a professional football father and son. His dad, Ian Wright, is an Arsenal legend, and his son D’Margio plays for Belgian club Beerschot. “People expect you to be as good as your father or play the same way,” Wright-Phillips said. “My daughter has started experiencing the same pressure at 11. She has been booed after getting injured. I always tell her to play her game and answer questions with football, not reaction.”
D’Margio has faced challenges in his career. “He played well at Stoke, but a manager change made it tricky. Now he learns how to deal with football’s downsides,” Wright-Phillips said. “He went on loan, helped Beerschot get promoted, but then suffered injuries last season. Mentally, he struggled. The new coach wants him off the books. He must grow and deal with these challenges, and there’s only so much I can guide him as a dad and ex-player.”
Rooney’s son, Kai, has played for Manchester United in the Under-18 Premier League this season despite being only 15. “There’s more pressure on them,” Rooney said. “Kai played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s sons and Michael Carrick’s son. Suddenly, ten times more people watch. They have to be ready for that spotlight.”
