Wayne Rooney has revealed that a cabal of senior players 'controlled the Manchester United dressing room' to ensure new signings didn't upset the highly successful team dynamic.
The striker, along with Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, were trusted by Sir Alex Ferguson to keep the squad on the right track as they chased silverware at home and abroad.
Rooney, who now plays in the United States with DC United, scored 253 goals in 559 appearances for United, winning five Premier League titles, the FA Cup, three League Cups and the Champions League.
And though Ferguson signed superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Nani and Dimitar Berbatov during his last decade at the club, none of them were allowed to get bigger than their boots.
'That would never be allowed to happen,' Rooney told the Men In Blazers TV show on NBCSN.
'The likes of Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, myself - players who had Man U in them and wanted the best for that club - would never allow anyone to mess that up.
'We controlled the dressing room ourselves. Alex Ferguson didn't really need to control that. The players had the trust of the manager to do that themselves.'
United are struggling this season under Jose Mourinho with one recurring criticism being that their style of play isn't as attacking as it was during the Ferguson era.
But Rooney disagrees: 'People talk about our team - especially in relation to Manchester United now - and say it was attack, attack, attack. But we actually weren't.
'A lot of games we played on the counter-attack, drew teams onto us and then broke with pace. We did it to Arsenal.
'It wasn't all 'let's just go out and attack.' It was a bit more calculated against certain opponents which brought the best out of myself.
'We had the team built to hit teams on the break and we were devastating at it.'
United travel to Mourinho's former club Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
Davichi
0
paul pogba would be 1 but hus showbiz is a problem.
Pogba shouldn't be the leader in the dressing room. There are more senior players in the team like Valencia, Smalling, Herrera and even De gea, but none of them have been able to step up to that position since the departure of players like Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Rooney and Carrick.
SINGAM23
5
The Leaders by exceptional service, high expectations. extraordinary, extravaganza, energetic, effective.
Mambdlprty
0
paul pogba would be 1 but hus showbiz is a problem.
hosiprs
0
Valencia sucks, doesn't realize Mourinho is one of few coaches who will allow somebody his age to play day in and out. Carrick didn't do anything as far as leadership. Pogba is a poser, Sanchez could be it, but he might be feeling insecure. Mata, probably just hangs out with his Spaniards.
hoacikmy
0
No Roy Kean in control?
Duverland
0
I think is directed to pogba ..
on point
DeGiro
0
I think the manager must learnt to hear from player, sometimes it brings some changes and confident in players👍
do you think football is run like a group?
halamadrid786
2
It should be valencia. It would be zlatan if they had him.
yepdersuz
0
Those are old glory days. It's not coming back anytime soon....sorry [doggreen][doggreen][doggreen]
hmmmm
fihabdeno
3
there is need for them to let the Captain of the team or coach of the team will control them in dressing room
CarsonJr
8
Now the leaders are frontrunners in upsetting the mood at United @Pogba and when the coach strip them of their Captaincy or vice captaincy you start criticising the Manager .Mourinho should just look for a club where he'll be more appreciated .#LetManagerManage.
Seebipry
2
I think the manager must learnt to hear from player, sometimes it brings some changes and confident in players👍
Henryrukis
5
that squad really dominated English football. but when talking about those who controls the room, I think vidic and scholes should also be included. but right now, the players that man united have are just selfish players. they play for the interest of the money and the name they want for them selves. onlike the era of Ferguson.
Diselnorsz
4
exactly United need a leader like Ferdinand
Juackmruz
0
Valencia is very quiet he doesnt talk to much a captain have to be someone who is fearless and Talkative
knock it off buddy, you can't talk you can't rule the people you really need to talk some senses into big lads like pogba, matic, Fellaini, Sanchez,
Zion11
0
lol rooney and firguson both looks so alike in picture
tepaceimpy
0
Valencia is very quiet he doesnt talk to much a captain have to be someone who is fearless and Talkative
calm you wont control others with your calm give the arm band to born leader such us Ander Herera
Tazbdimpsy
1
It is settled, Rooney says it was not attack, attack, attack. It was hit n run more than attack attack attack. They did not waste the chances on counter attack like the current team. These current team counter attack but they waste the chances n that's the difference. After they give the ball to the opposing team then the defence is unable to cover up n we concede a goal.
yeopee88
3
I really miss those individuals who converted me into United fan and football lover forever...
Shadownet
1
Valencia is very quiet he doesnt talk to much a captain have to be someone who is fearless and Talkative
Wrong statement. Leaders need to be calm not talkative
Shadownet
4
Those are old glory days. It's not coming back anytime soon....sorry [doggreen][doggreen][doggreen]
erulind
2
did you really have to mention Arsenal? you did us enough damage back then.
Bisdeikoy
2
The current squad lack people with the crest of the Club in their hearts not just their chest. pogba is a leader but chases too much personal glory, Jones n smalling are not good enough to bully any one really bc they make too many mistakes on the pitch
Je1
1
controlling the dressing room isn't the problem. the problem is the lack of trust and c commitment between coach and players. and Mou brought that on himself
tepaceimpy
3
Valencia is very quiet he doesnt talk to much a captain have to be someone who is fearless and Talkative
Moduyz
1
Now, the problem arises after they retired, speaking nonsensical comments, thinking they can still control the dressing room. Shut up.
Africa82884
2
we have great players like mata, Valencia, de gea and lingard. they have to control the dressing room. but another issue is our players selection during line up. there are some players that must be in must of the matches but I don't know what happen to mourinho. players like mata, Herrera, lingard, Bailey or rojo. up man u
Dannydrexx
3
I think is directed to pogba ..
ugobobo
0
he was one of them
rubbknpr
3
dont undermine Man U.
shubhtiwari
4
ronaldo fans right now
kingbhalo
1
Allow lingard control the dressing room