Last summer wasnt the first time David Moyes had to contend with a summer dealing with speculation surrounding Wayne Rooneys future. Having handed in a transfer request immediately prior to his arrival at Old Trafford, there will have been a sense of deja vu for the Scottish manager, having spent an entire summer desperately trying to cling to the want-away teenager in 2004. Having come to prominence in the Premier League with a blistering 25 yard winner against Arsenal as a 16 year old, Rooney announced himself on the world stage as a fresh-faced 18 year old at Euro 2004, terrorising defenders with explosive pace and dynamite strength. Having fallen out with Moyes at Everton, the hottest prospect in English football was desperate to leave his hometown club, with Manchester United and Newcastle having seen bids rejected for his services.
''This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life but I feel the time is now right for me to move forward with my career. The Euros were a fantastic experience for me, it made me realise I could play at the highest level. To do that I need to be with a club that is playing in Europe every year. - Wayne Rooney, August 2004.
Having submitted a transfer request in August, Rooney ultimately signed for Manchester United in a £25.6 million deal on deadline day.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
