Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene in unprecedented fashion for Everton and England in the early noughties and almost sealed a move to Newcastle United before being swayed by a team-mate
Wayne Rooney was on the verge of a move to Newcastle in 2004 before an Everton team-mate urged him to sign for Manchester United instead. Rooney quickly imposed himself on Premier League football after breaking into the Toffees' first team at just 16 years of age during the 2002/03 season.
His outstanding performances at Goodison Park over two seasons established him as one of England's brightest talents, grabbing the attention of rival clubs in the process. After his stellar displays for England at Euro 2004, legendary Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to sign the youngster.
Rooney made the switch to United for a £25.6million fee, which kicked off a legendary career at Old Trafford, where he not only broke the record as the club's all-time leading goal-scorer but also lifted five league titles.
But according to his former Everton captain Duncan Ferguson, the teenager could have easily signed for Newcastle instead – a decision that might have drastically changed his career trajectory.
Ferguson said on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet: “He was going to go to Newcastle, and I advised him against that move, before he went to Manchester United. I told him that Newcastle was a great club, but if United and Sir Alex Ferguson want you, you better go.”
The Scot also reflected on his relationship with Rooney at the time, saying: “Alan [Shearer] and Wayne were the best strikers I played with. Wayne was only young at the time, but you could see where he was going to get to – he was a top player.
“I tried to shy away from Wayne – he was younger than me, and he looked up to me like I was his hero. I was worried that I wasn’t the best role model – he is the biggest talent in Britain – and if he got in any trouble, I’d get the blame for it.”
Rooney eventually made a nostalgic return to Everton in 2017 after a glittering career at United, scoring 10 goals in 31 appearances during his single season back at Goodison Park. Recalling his switch to United previously, Rooney explained: "I knew it [joining United] was an option before Euro 2004. I knew Manchester United wanted to sign me.
“I think going to the Euros and doing well there probably added a bit more money onto the transfer fee but I broke my foot and found out a few things. Everton were really struggling for money at the time and I found out they were listening to offers from people as well.
“They were trying to push me to sign for Chelsea because they were going to pay the most money. But, once I knew United were interested, I wanted some confirmation that they did want to sign me.
“It was 40 minutes from my home, where I grew up, as well and it was a perfect fit for me. United actually wanted to wait a year, until the following year, but then Newcastle came into talks with Everton and with myself.
“I’d gone too far then. I couldn’t wait another year, I couldn’t stay another year at Everton, so I was prepared to go to Newcastle for that year. I spoke to them, we spoke about salary and what I wanted if I went there was, after a year, if Manchester United come in, you have to let me go.
“Newcastle were agreeing to that but obviously, with United, I went back to them and said, if you don’t do it now, I’ll go to Newcastle with a clause in place.
"United obviously didn’t want me to go there so I came here. It was basically whatever Newcastle paid for me, United would have paid a year later.”