20 November 2023 , 22:00
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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney did not want Sir Alex Ferguson to feature in his documentary, according to reports.
Rooney, a film charting the former England captain's life and footballing career, was released on Amazon Prime back in 2022 following much anticipation and excitement and is now set to air on Channel 4. Fans were stunned not to see Ferguson make an exclusive appearance in the documentary, despite managing Rooney for nine trophy-laden years.
The likes of David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand feature in the film, along with Rooney's former managers David Moyes and Jose Mourinho. Amazon released a similar documentary about Ferguson in 2021 and the iconic manager was reportedly willing to feature in his old player's new film.
According to The Sun, however, Rooney declined the offer and his production team chose to use archive footage of Ferguson instead. It's believed the iconic manager was invited to the film's premiere, but couldn't attend due to a prior engagement.
Rooney and Ferguson clashed during their time together at Old Trafford, although the two have since settled their differences. The striker attempted to leave United in 2010 following the sales of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez but has since revealed his regret at handing in a transfer request.
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"The relationship with Sir Alex took a little bit of a hit because of me trying to think of the bigger picture," Rooney told the club's website in November 2020. "Obviously, as he told me, it was none of my business.
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Wayne Rooney reportedly didn't want Sir Alex Ferguson to be in his new documentary (PA)"I think it’s good [the relationship with the fans]. It [also] took a hit in 2010 when I asked to leave the club, which I get. I understand the frustration from the fans over that. But I think, again, there were other things going on and I had frustrations myself with the way the club was going.
"We’d sold Tevez and sold Ronaldo and, when United asked me about and offered me a five-year deal, it was going to be my last contract really in terms of a big contract where I was coming into the peak of my career.
"I really wanted assurances as we were selling these players... it was all quick and something I regret now." On his relationship with Ferguson, Rooney added: "I think, in terms of the manager, I always had a great relationship with the manager.
Rooney's relationship with Ferguson strained after he handed in a transfer request in 2010 (AFP/Getty Images)"I think the manager loved that. He knew, by doing that to me, he was getting a message to the other players. He did it with [Ryan] Giggsy as well. So Giggsy, me and the manager were always at each other and it went on a little bit after that, when that was happening.
"Always after the game, the manager might walk down to the bus and give me a slap on the back of the head! It was his way of saying, that’s over. Still to this day. I have great respect for the manager, it was just those little moments in the dressing room that were missing a little bit.
"It was just something which is still there – it almost took a bit of that [character] out of me and out of him as well, in that sense. It is what it is. I think the most important thing was we got it sorted out quite quickly and moved on and went on to win the league again the next year."