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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Wayne Rooney clarifies comments on 'wanting to hurt' Chelsea players in Manchester United match

Wayne Rooney has clarified comments he made in an interview where he claimed that he 'wanted to hurt' Chelsea players so wore longer studs.

The comments by the former Manchester United striker were made while he was promoting his new Amazon Prime documentary.

Following the interview, the FA contacted the now-Derby County boss regarding the conversation.

Speaking about a clash between United and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2006, Rooney said: "I always wore the old plastic studs with the metal tip.

"For that game I changed them to big, long metal ones because I wanted to try and hurt someone, try and injure someone.

"The studs were legal but thinking if there's a challenge there I knew I'd want to go in for it properly. I did actually. John Terry left the stadium on crutches.

"I left a hole in his foot."

The English football governing body received a response from Rooney regarding his comments on Thursday.

At today's press conference ahead of the Rams' trip to Middlesbrough, the 36-year-old clarified: "I have given my response to the FA as asked and I will wait for what comes back from that.

"What I said to the FA is private, but I'm sure if you look at how I've said things, you will have an idea.

"I've been very open about my state of mind (on the documentary). That was a feeling.

"I didn't go onto the pitch and say: 'Right, I'm going to hurt and injure someone', that was a feeling I had.

"Obviously I had a tackle with John Terry, which was a good honest 50-50 tackle between two players. No issues."

Former Blues captain, Terry reached out to Rooney on Twitter when the comments came to his attention.

The ex-Chelsea defender joked: "Wayne Rooney is this when you left your stud in my foot?"

Rooney recently turned down the Everton job in favour of staying at Championship side Derby County.

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