Wayne Rooney has revealed how he was left “fuming” with Sir Alex Ferguson after the birth of his first son.
Back in November 2009, Rooney’s preparations for Manchester United’s Champions League group game against CSKA Moscow were interrupted when his wife Colleen gave birth to their first son Kai the day before the game.
United were heading into the game knowing a point would send them through to the knockout stages of the competition, although it was looking as though Rooney might have to miss the game.
Ferguson wasn’t going to leave one of his stars out, though, and insisted Rooney get himself ready, leaving Colleen in hospital.
But, once Rooney got to Old Trafford the following night, things weren’t quite how he expected them.
“I remember when Kai was born, just thinking “How am I meant to be responsible?” Rooney told the Daily Mail.
“After he was born, Alex Ferguson asked me to go home and leave Coleen in hospital because we were playing CSKA Moscow in the Champions League the next day.
“I told him I hadn’t slept for two days but he said: “Go home, you’re playing.”
“I got to the stadium and he put me on the bench — and rested Berbatov from the squad. I was fuming. He gave me a day off after that.”
Despite Rooney being less than happy with being benched, he still went on to make a big impact in the game.
After United had fallen 3-1 down and looked to be losing their 22-game unbeaten home record, Ferguson called for Rooney from the bench.
The introduction of United’s all-time leading goalscorer gave the ground an instant lift, and inspired United to grab two late goals and secure their qualification with a 3-3 draw.
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