Derby forward Wayne Rooney has revealed which Manchester United player he got badly wrong after his arrival in 2011.
The Red devils’ record goalscorer Rooney had been at the club for seven years when David de Gea was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson for around £17m from Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
The Spaniard had a lightweight frame and he was heavily criticised at the start of his United career for making too many mistakes and not dominating his area like his predecessors such as Van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel.
And in Soccer Box chat with Gary Neville from December 2019, on Sky Sports, Rooney conceded De Gea “struggled” and he thought the keeper was out of his depth at Carrington.
However, Rooney said it was the 8-2 victory over Arsenal in 2011/12 which was a major turning point for him after he saved a penalty from Robin van Persie.
Rooney said: “This was a massive moment for De Gea in his career at Manchester United. I think it was a turning point.”
Neville added: “He looked like a baby for two years. I lost faith in him for a couple of years, I knew he had the talent but physically…”
Rooney replied: “Going from Edwin (Van der sar), when David came in I was like ‘there’s no way he is a goalkeeper’ he was so thin and small.
“He struggled, he struggled in training, he wasn’t great and I remember thinking he wasn’t good enough to play for Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson had faith in him and thankfully he did because he’s probably the best keeper in the world.”
Rooney also revealed in the same episode that Danny Welbeck’s 2014 transfer to Arsenal was not the choice of the former England forward.
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“I loved playing with Danny and for England. His best quality was winning the ball back quickly after we lost it,” added Rooney, who is now player-coach at Derby County after returning from MLS.
“It was a shame, because I don’t think he really wanted to leave. Obviously Louis van Gaal had a way he wanted to play and got rid of Danny, but it was a shame because I know he loves the club and he didn’t want to go.”
