Wayne Rooney Everton Death Threats: Ex-Man United striker reveals he received threats after leaving Everton for Manchester United in 2004

Liverpool, England — Former England striker Wayne Rooney has disclosed that he received death threats following his controversial move from Everton to Manchester United in 2004.

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Rooney, 18 at the time, signed for the Red Devils in a £27 million deal after rejecting a club-record contract from Everton, triggering outrage among some Toffees supporters.

“I got death threats. My parents’ house was getting spray-painted and smashed up. My girlfriend at the time, wife now, had her house getting spray-painted,” Rooney revealed on the latest episode of BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show.

Reflecting on the challenges of leaving his boyhood club, Rooney said the experience required mental strength and support from those around him.

“Leaving was difficult because I went to Manchester United. Liverpool and Manchester was a big rivalry, so that made it a lot more difficult. But I was always of a mindset of ‘I don’t care’. I knew what I wanted, and I knew how to get there,” he said.

Rooney also highlighted the evolving pressures faced by young players in the modern era of social media, referencing his oldest son, Kai, who currently plays at Manchester United.

“Being a young player and going into the first team, especially, you’re getting judged. Rightly or wrongly, you get judged, and that’s where you need the people around you, people at the club or your family, to keep you in a good place,” Rooney said.

He emphasised the importance of a strong support network for aspiring professionals, warning of the risks of social media exposure at an early age.

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“We can all get carried away with social media as well. So it’s really important that the people who are close to you have your best interests. It’s the main thing,” Rooney added.