When we talk about legends at Manchester United, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo inevitably come up. Both have left an indelible mark on the club’s history. However, if you are a United fan or have followed the club throughout the 2000s and 2010s, it should not be a debate that Wayne Rooney stands as the greater legend of the two. Here’s why:
Loyalty
Firstly, Rooney’s loyalty to the club is unmatched. Ronaldo arrived at United a year before Rooney arrived but the Portuguese left eight years before Rooney left. The Englishman spent 13 glorious years at Manchester United, while Ronaldo’s tenure was comparatively shorter, spanning six years and another year and a half in his second stint.
Wayne Rooney sacrificed his own game for the good of our team.
He still became our all time top goalscorer and won it all at United.
You don’t come across players like him that often he was truly special.
The Street Footballer who ruled the world 🇾🇪❤️@ManUtd @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/V1bIFDd6VS
— Keane (@United_Keane23) March 24, 2022
Rooney’s commitment and dedication to the club over more than a decade endeared him to fans in a profound way. Wazza was United through and through. He dreamed of playing for United and continued to play for the club. On the other hand, Ronaldo dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and he went on to achieve his dream at the first ask. There’s nothing against Ronaldo in that. Just that Rooney’s loyalty will always be superior.
Team-player
At times, Manchester United played for Ronaldo but Rooney always played for Manchester United. I’ll explain. United was being built around Ronaldo because he was the best player around without a doubt. Everyone would have to accommodate him and his needs were met so that he could keep performing at the highest level.
Rooney, on the other hand, would play wherever the team needed him. He could play in multiple positions with equal proficiency, whether as a striker, midfielder, or even as a winger. He has slotted deep into midfield to accommodate other players as a sign of his willingness to contribute to the team.
— 🤖 (@tjvidssss) February 23, 2024
Recently, Antony’s reaction to being asked to play left-back by Erik ten Hag during the FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool has gone viral. If Rooney was in place of Antony, there would be no such reaction. Probably just an “Okay, boss.” In Ronaldo’s case, there would probably never be such a request and even if there was, he was unlikely to abide.
Silverware for the club
In terms of silverware, Rooney and Ronaldo won it all for the club together until 2009. However, Ronaldo made a move while Rooney stuck around to add several more domestic cups and Premier League trophies to his bag. Rooney’s contributions played a pivotal role in the club’s success during the end of one of its most dominant periods.
While Cristiano Ronaldo undoubtedly left his mark during his time at Manchester United, his legacy is somewhat overshadowed by his departure and subsequent returns to other clubs. Rooney, on the other hand, remained steadfast in his allegiance to Manchester United throughout his prime years.
Wayne Rooney at Manchester United:
▪️ Most expensive teenager when signed in 2004
▪️ Debut hat-trick vs. Fenerbahce in the UCL
▪️ Only player to score 250 Man Utd goals
▪️ Made club captain in 2014
▪️ 16 trophies incl. 5 PL, 2008 UCL
▪️ 13 years & 559 games for the clubLegend. pic.twitter.com/Wl0Xn8QoBV
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 15, 2021
United’s downfall began soon after Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013. However, Rooney stuck around playing with multiple different players and under multiple managers. He always wore his heart on his sleeve. Rooney’s passion for the game and the club will always be unmatched.
Wayne Rooney should be regarded more of a legend for Manchester United than Cristiano Ronaldo. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/06nlisHLu0
— 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 (@CantonasCoIIar) July 10, 2022
In conclusion, Wayne Rooney’s longevity, versatility, passion, and leadership make him a bigger legend than Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United. His unwavering commitment to the club and his profound impact both on and off the field cement his place in the hearts of fans as one of the greatest players ever to don the red jersey.