[Dirtycheat]

Rooney: I always wanted to wear the No 10 shirt like Owen, Pele and Zidane

Manchester United strike Wayne Rooney has spoken of his pride at wearing the club's coveted No 10 shirt.

"Ten has always been my favourite number," he told Inside United magazine.

"When Ruud left and no-one took it the following season I asked the manager and David Gill if I could have the shirt.

"I had to wait a year until the new kit came out but as soon as that happened I was given the shirt which was great."

Rooney follows in the footsteps of United legends like Denis Law, Mark Hughes and Nistelrooy.

Rooney said: "They were all great players who scored so many goals for the club so I knew what a big number it was for me to take.

"But that history makes wearing the shirt feel even better and also makes it more of a challenge to succeed.

"I always keep my first shirt of every new season so I've got the first No. 10 I wore against Chelsea in the Community Shield up at home."

The Old Trafford goal-getter also recognises the other world class players who've worn the shirt, Puskas, Pele, Platini, Maradona, Baggio, Zidane and Ronaldinho.

"It's definitely been an important number down the years. It's probably more of a traditional number in South America for the best players to wear No 10 compared to here and when you look at the players who have worn it, it feels great to have the number.

"Hopefully when I've finished people will look back and say the same thing about me."

While he was younger, it was Liverpool's No 10, Michael Owen who caught his eye.

"Michael Owen is probably the No.10 I remember watching the most. Even though he played for Liverpool, I still always enjoyed watching him," he told the magazine.

Rooney singles out Pele and Maradona as two of his greatest idols.

He said of Pele: "I've watched lots of videos of him and you can see what a brilliant footballer he was. He had two great feet, was strong in the air and also a very good athlete. He's rightly up there as one of the best players of all time."

Of Maradona, he says: "He's definitely the best player there's ever been in my eyes. He had pace, great skill and an unbelievable desire to win."

Former Old Trafford legend Denis Law finally presented Rooney with his No 10 shirt.

He said: “He was an unbelievable player, who scored so many goals for the club and for him to hand the shirt over to me was a real honour.

“He was a player who could score any kind of goal. He wasn't the tallest but he was very good in the air. He was also a very brave player and a real goal poacher inside the box.”

Rooney says he changed the way he plays this season moving further up front rather than behind the main striker and he credits team mate Carlos Tevez with helping him.

“I'd probably say I've enjoyed that role more as you seem to get more chances and hopefully that means I'll end up with more goals.

“He's a great player and he's done really well since he joined the club and I think we're working well together. I think our partnership proves that all good players can play together no mater how similar you are.”

Rooney: I always wanted to wear the No 10 shirt like Owen, Pele and Zidane | the Daily Mail


interesting article, i was surprised when Rooney changed his number.

[macca247]

alot of class players have worn the number 10 shirt and we got another one in rooney
glad to see you back for saturday

[vrider]

10 suits him nicely, once he get's back into form, then the goals will start flowing again, truly a legend in the making.

[funkdoctorspock]

Didn't realize that he actually wanted the 10 shirt.

Pretty cool that he did and it suits him quite fine too. He's been playing like how a 10 player should.

That would be scoring goals, hussling and being one of the best players on the pitch.

[Anton7]

But the number 7 from United is still the best nowadays.I want to ask you all do you know if I can buy this magazine online from somewhere or make membership to it so it can be shipped to Bulgaria?

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Anton7

But the number 7 from United is still the best nowadays.I want to ask you all do you know if I can buy this magazine online from somewhere or make membership to it so it can be shipped to Bulgaria?

You can order the mag from the official site, Manutd.com.

Know back to Rooney. First of all, this was a great article to read. Thank's for posting it. Secondly, I agree with all of your statements on what Rooney is and will be for United. In my opinion, he is the true meaning of what a number 10 should be. Strong, very aggressive and a great eye for goal. When he's on the pitch, he's fierce, like a young lion (or Red Devil) ready to be unleashed. A true consideration for a future captain!

[GocartMozart]

yes you can, and I don't think delivery would be a problem. As far as how helpful the magazine is...well. It's ok.

try amazon: Amazon.com: Manchester United Magazine: Magazines

^something like

[ravishabc]

after nistelrooy departed...and we didnt sign ne new striker..i was kind of surprised that the no 10 slot at united has been kept empty...rooney deserves to wear that shirt...and he could end in the same leauge as zidane pele maradona etc

[Mohammadreza Arian]

i mean number 10 is best shirt and number for wayne rooney

[manmilbar]

A nice number,it's suit him actually