Wayne Rooney admits to embarrassment as Manchester United lifted EFL Cup
Wayne Rooney admits he was embarrassed to lift the EFL Cup after Manchester Uniteds 3-2 victory over Southampton in the 2016/17 final.
The 33-year-old was an ever-present in Uniteds starting XI for the vast majority of his 13-year stay at Old Trafford but felt the urge to leave as he became a bit-part player under Jose Mourinho.
While Rooney seemingly went out on a high, winning the Europa League in his last match for club, he was disappointed only to make a one-minute substitute appearance against Ajax.
Rooney was also an unused substitute in the EFL Cup final earlier in the season and Uniteds all-time record goalscorer made the decision to rejoin boyhood club Everton that following summer.
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There are times when you doubt yourself as a player, and think: “Am I good enough?” The time Jose Mourinho left me out of the Manchester United team, he told former team-mate Gary Neville, working for Sky Sports.
There are moments when you do doubt yourself, I believe I was good enough to get back in the team, but I never really got that opportunity.
I came on for one minute in the Europa League final, I was about to come on against Southampton in the League Cup final, and in those moments it was embarrassing.
It was getting to a point where I was embarrassed, I thought: “I cant keep doing this,” as hard as it was to leave Manchester United.
In the Southampton game, Mourinho came to me and said: “I want you to lift the trophy.” I was like: “Well, I didnt even play in the game.”
He was persistent with it, and I literally lifted it and moved it on! I just knew… “What was I doing? I need to move on and go somewhere else…”
Rooney revealed how a simple conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson helped transform his form in the 2006/07 season after a barren spell in front of goal.
There are periods throughout my career where you do lack a bit in confidence, where you doubt yourself at times, the DC United forward explained.
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I think there was a time at Manchester United [2006/07 season] where I was scoring goals, and then for some reason I couldnt score.
Youre down, because I love football, love playing football and after the games Id go home and watch the games back, to try and see where Ive gone wrong in certain moments, and I couldnt work it out. It was so frustrating.
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I couldnt work out why I wasnt scoring, why I wasnt playing as well. Then you end up trying harder, it becomes worse, you feel like youre just stuck.
I always remember Sir Alex Ferguson pulling me into his office, and he said: “Listen, youre trying too hard, just keep the game simple. Get the ball, lay it off, get in the box. Your chance will come, you will score and youll continue to score.”
Thats what I did the next game, got the ball, played one or two touch, and I think I scored a hat-trick against Bolton away.
I remember sitting there thinking: “It cant be that simple!” Thats always stuck me when Ive gone through difficult moments.
MORE: Ed Woodward rates Manchester Uniteds start under Jose Mourinho
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