Wayne Rooney has revealed he went into management to one day take to the dugout at Manchester United.
The 36-year-old is one of the club's greatest players after becoming their leading scorer of all time with 253 goals in 13 trophy-laden seasons.
Rooney is also a fan favourite at Everton, coming through the club's academy and returning for a season towards the end of his playing career.
The Derby manager though snubbed the chance to have an interview with Everton to replace Rafael Benitez when the former Liverpool manager was sacked.
As reported by the Sun, Rooney has now admitted: 'The whole reason in me going into management is Manchester United. I got offered the job interview for the Everton job.
'I want to be Manchester United manager. I know I am not ready now but I have to plan everything I do to make sure one day it will happen.'
Rooney's comments come despite his emotional ties with the Toffees, who he made his playing debut as a 16-year-old in 2002.
He is currently in charge of crisis-torn Championship club Derby and attracted interest from Everton after they sacked Benitez.
The former England captain though revealed in January that he chose not to pursue the opportunity, with the Toffees instead going for Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.
‘They approached my agent and asked me to interview for the job which I turned down,’ he said. ‘I believe I will be a Premier League manager and that I’m ready for that, and if that’s with Everton in future that would be great.
‘It was a very difficult decision but I’ve got a job here at Derby which is important to me.'
Though Rooney said it would be 'great' to be Everton manager, his comments that he got into management to become Manchester United might frustrate some of their fans.
Rooney burst onto the scene at Everton before joining United in 2004 for £27million.
At Old Trafford, he won five Premier League titles, the Champions League in 2008, among a host of other trophies.
He scored 11 goals in 40 appearances for Everton after returning in 2017, before later having spells with D.C. United and Derby.
Rooney was named permanent manager at Derby in January 2020. He kept the club in the Championship on the final day of last season but they entered administration last September and have been docked a total of 21 points.
Derby sit bottom of the table on 25 points - eight points from safety with just seven games remaining.
Rooney last week entered the Premier League Hall of Fame, along with Patrick Vieira, joining six other legends who were inducted last week.
akain
0
don't just start criticizing when u don't have ur facts right
do you know the meaning of criticism? if you do, you will know my comment is not of that
pekadnptu
0
derby is going to get relegated, still want to dream of manU job 🥳
if the league deducted 21 points, stopped you from signing any new players and all your main players left because of administration, Dortmund would get relegated too. Rooney had to make a team of Sunday leaguers and part-time footballers and in some matches he didn't even have 5 substitutes to call up on. If you don't know the facts, learn it before making derogatory comments
duaaklnt
0
was this not the same derby that almost won the championship with Lampard in charge now fighting a relegation battle. Rooney is spot on, he cannot manage any of those teams now.
don't just start criticizing when u don't have ur facts right
duaaklnt
0
was this not the same derby that almost won the championship with Lampard in charge now fighting a relegation battle. Rooney is spot on, he cannot manage any of those teams now.
didn't u read the article?? 21 points was deducted from Derby or u don't understand
Khollynce
0
the FA deducted points from Derby that is why
Miockmnt
1
derby is going to get relegated, still want to dream of manU job 🥳
pekadnptu
0
It work for Arteta and Gerrard doesn’t mean that it will work for Lampard and Rooney
it hasn't worked for anyone yet. no one has become a young Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp or Jose Mourinho yet.
Kunlespur2
3
Old trafford will be waiting for you Wazza🥉🩸
pekadnptu
0
was this not the same derby that almost won the championship with Lampard in charge now fighting a relegation battle. Rooney is spot on, he cannot manage any of those teams now.
yes it is. they were a normal championship club when Lampard was in charge. Rooney had to manage the club after it went into administration though.. no new signings, no renewals, lots of player departures, and 21 points docked in the beginning of the season.
akain
2
was this not the same derby that almost won the championship with Lampard in charge now fighting a relegation battle. Rooney is spot on, he cannot manage any of those teams now.
pekadnptu
2
5 years from now Rashford will be the Man Utd captain and Rooney will be the Manager.
Evans0323
2
It work for Arteta and Gerrard doesn’t mean that it will work for Lampard and Rooney
FootballRealist
2
He is not even jumping at any opportunity, but he will be a great manager and unfortunately he is managing a club that has got knocked down twice I really hope they get what they need to stay. Rooney deserves so much more.
Mewdimp
1
hope he gets a good experience before the job.
womcmprtuz
3
Rooney will be a good manager at United
Smarquezc
0
so was ole 🙄
My bro, Ole is a legend too, but its not even close... and is also not even close to Rooney’s prestige on the club and personally i think that Rooney has a more appropriate character for the manager role, but anyways well see
Cewclmnsty
0
Legend of the club❤️ just the best
and so was Kenny Dalglish
Leftwinger
0
Legend of the club❤️ just the best
so was ole 🙄
Smarquezc
3
Legend of the club❤️ just the best
ManUnited-Red
3
let's how it goes 🔥🔥🔥