Rooney

Biodata

Appearance

• Stocky, muscular build: Frequently compared to a bear or bull, particularly when charging forward or celebrating 95 109 152.
• “Little Fatty” nickname: Zhang Kuang explains that Chinese fans consider him plump and cute; Rooney says he likes the name 196.

Personality

Rooney is competitive and sensitive to his standing as a goalscorer. During the Liverpool derby, a frustrating performance drives him to ask Zhang Kuang for help restoring his pride. After scoring, he thanks Zhang emotionally and calls him his “best brother” 116. His frustration can also become disruptive: following the draw with West Brom, he throws his boots and argues with Ferdinand before Giggs intervenes 127.

With friends, Rooney is boisterous, affectionate, and enthusiastic about crude banter. He repeatedly celebrates by jumping onto Zhang Kuang’s back, openly admires his teammate’s ability, and starts copying his “Siu” celebration 107 109 175. He also looks out for Zhang, warning him about Bolton’s aggressive tackling and Manchester City’s likely attempts to target him 119 152.

His interest in women repeatedly creates disciplinary and domestic trouble. Ferguson worries that pairing Rooney, who visits prostitutes, with Zhang Kuang will encourage both men’s habits. Rooney nevertheless seeks Zhang’s help meeting women and later tries learning conversational embellishment as a way of attracting them 93 108.

Abilities & Skills

Shooting and Finishing

• Powerful strikes: Scores with forceful shots from both inside and outside the penalty area, including the late goal that secures a 4–2 victory over Liverpool 95 116.
• Cut-inside attacks: Can receive on the right, evade defenders, and shoot toward either corner. Against Manchester City, he cuts inside and curls a long-range effort into the top-left corner 240.
• Weaker-foot finishing: Although right-footed, he scores a curling left-footed opener away to Napoli. Commentators identify the movement and finish as evidence of improvement influenced by Zhang Kuang 262.
• Inconsistency: Powerful attempts sometimes strike the crossbar or miss clear chances. Neuer saves his penalty against Schalke, and he shoots over from an unmarked position in the Champions League final against Bayern 101 127 177 302.

Combination Play and Passing

• One-twos: His quick exchanges are explicitly described as one of his major strengths. Against Celtic, he threads a return pass between two defenders for Zhang Kuang to score 95.
• Through balls: Creates chances by finding diagonal runs, including Zhang’s equalizer against Aston Villa and a later opening against Chelsea 133 275.
• Crossing: Delivers from the right after reaching the byline. His service creates Berbatov’s goal against Stoke and Zhang Kuang’s bicycle kick against Manchester City 154 180.
• Back-to-goal support: Holds off Upson, controls a cross on his chest, and lays the ball back for Zhang Kuang’s long-range equalizer against West Ham 168.

Movement and Dribbling

• Off-ball runs: Zhang calls his movement world-class. His diagonal and central runs repeatedly place him at the end of Zhang’s passes 99 132 142.
• Physical ball-carrying: Breaks free of Richards’s attempted pull while charging down the right against Manchester City 152.
• Feints and changes of direction: Uses a heel-assisted direction change to beat Ashley Cole in the Community Shield 202.
• Technical development: Later beats Enrique and Agger before scoring against Liverpool; commentators again compare his cut-inside technique to Zhang’s style 297.

Aerial Play and Set Pieces

• Heading: Scores a powerful bouncing header from Zhang’s cross in the third minute at The Hawthorns 142.
• Free kicks: Identified as Manchester United’s first-choice free-kick taker during the home draw with West Brom; his late attempt hits the crossbar 127.
• Rehearsed routines: Disguises a square pass to Zhang during a free-kick routine against Arsenal, catching the defensive wall expecting a direct shot 137.

Physical Strength

• Contact play: Enjoys physical challenges and describes boxing as part of his training 95.
• Holding off defenders: Can protect possession under pressure and supply teammates rather than forcing a shot 168.
• Injury limitations: Suffers an injury from Brunt’s challenge at West Brom and later an ankle injury from Da Costa’s studs-first tackle. Ferguson subsequently warns him not to risk his career by playing through ankle trouble 143 168 273.

History

Arrival of Zhang Kuang

Before Zhang Kuang joins Manchester United, Rooney reacts defensively to his public comments about England. He says Zhang is too young to say certain things, while insisting England possesses the players and league needed to reach the World Cup semifinals 87.

His attitude becomes much warmer once they are teammates. Rooney predicts that Zhang’s relaxed approach to training and enjoyment of nightlife will make him easy to get along with. Ferguson places them together to develop an attacking partnership, although their animated conversations about women make him question the arrangement 90 93.

North American Preseason

Rooney and Zhang share a room during the summer tour. Their cooperation produces an early success against Celtic: Rooney assists Zhang’s opener, then scores from Zhang’s low cross in Manchester United’s 3–1 win 94 95.

In Houston, Zhang arranges dinner with Sophia, Emily, and Daisy. Rooney initially feels out of place during the cultural conversation, but becomes confident once Sophia and Daisy ask about football and fitness. He leaves with the two women and arrives late and exhausted the following morning. Ferguson responds by doubling training intensity and repeatedly singling him out 95 96.

After Zhang offers further advice on avoiding the hotel’s access restrictions, Rooney promises to repay him with assists. Their increasingly frequent combinations in training improve their understanding of each other’s movement 96 99.

Contract Dispute and Attacking Partnership

A wage disagreement keeps Rooney out of the squad against Sunderland. He later replaces Zhang at halftime against West Brom, with Ferguson challenging him to justify his new price tag. United surrender a two-goal lead, Rooney’s late free kick hits the crossbar, and his frustration spills into a dressing-room argument 123 127.

Despite further unhappiness when left unused, Rooney remains part of United’s main attacking trio alongside Zhang and Berbatov. Their combinations drive victories over Tottenham, Bursaspor, Wolverhampton, and Manchester City 130 132. Against Valencia, Rooney scores after Zhang redirects a blocked shooting opportunity into an unexpected pass 136.

Christmas Scandal and Injuries

A sex scandal leads Coleen to drive Rooney out of their home. Reporters continue photographing his predicament through Christmas, and Zhang Kuang’s club gives him somewhere to stay 138 139.

On New Year’s Day, Rooney heads United into an early lead at West Brom. Later, Brunt’s challenge leaves him unable to stand, temporarily reducing United to ten men because Ferguson has already used all three substitutions. Rooney urges Zhang to return to the match and win, then limps back onto the pitch during stoppage time 142 143.

European Knockout Matches and Finals

Rooney continues contributing to United’s knockout campaign, scoring from Zhang’s through ball against Chelsea and both scoring and assisting against Stoke at Wembley 175 180. Against Schalke, he releases Hernández for a chance preceding Zhang’s second goal, but later has a penalty saved by Neuer 177.

The final against Barcelona brings repeated confrontations over disputed decisions. Rooney angrily challenges the officials after a goal-line incident, then receives a yellow card following another disallowed goal. Berbatov restrains him, and Ferguson subsequently replaces him with Park Ji-sung as United reorganize with ten players 186 188.

Later Campaigns

Rooney remains an important scorer and creator in subsequent matches. He scores during the eleven-goal derby defeat to Manchester City, opens the scoring away to Napoli, and adds another goal in United’s commanding performance at Stamford Bridge 240 262 275.

His brace helps seal a later 4–2 victory over Liverpool, with commentators noting how he has incorporated aspects of Zhang’s attacking style 297. He subsequently misses a clear first-half chance against Bayern in the Champions League final, but remains involved during the following preseason and scores from Zhang’s assist against Shanghai Shenhua 302 316.

Relationships

• Zhang Kuang — Close friend, former preseason roommate, and attacking partner. Their friendship grows through off-field outings and reciprocal assists; Zhang also reassures him after missed chances and his saved penalty 94 96 116 145 177.
• Alex Ferguson — Manager who deliberately cultivates Rooney’s partnership with Zhang, disciplines his nightlife-related lapses, and cautions him against playing through injury 93 96 273.
• Dimitar Berbatov — Fellow member of United’s attacking trio. Shares flowing combinations and celebrations with Rooney, and restrains him during his confrontation with the referee in the Barcelona final 132 180 188.
• Coleen — Wife. His sexual behavior causes conflict, culminating in her expelling him from their home during the Christmas scandal 108 138 139.
• Rio Ferdinand — Teammate with whom Rooney shares details of his Houston outing. They later clash following the West Brom draw 96 127.
• Ryan Giggs — Senior teammate who intervenes during Rooney’s dressing-room outburst and later supplies the pass for his opener against Napoli 127 262.

Notable Quotes

“So I have to fight for some pride. I'm not trying to prove how great I am. I want to tell everyone that I'll take back what I've lost!” 116

“From now on, I'll show you true friendship on the pitch. I'll take care of your assists.” 96