WAYNE ROONEY revealed he almost joined CHELSEA in 2004 – before finding out their plan to loan him back out.
Rooney had two breakout seasons with Everton before becoming a regular for England.
The future England captain went into Euro 2004 as one of Europe’s hottest commodities – and the wonderkid had no idea he was sold to Chelsea.
Rooney told the BBC: “When we were at the Euros at Euro 2004, Everton had agreed a deal with Chelsea for me to sign for them and I had no knowledge of that whatsoever.
“And then my agent then went and spoke to (Roman) Abramovich and their team basically and they said, yeah, they wanted to sign me, then send me out on loan to Middlesbrough. It was like, no chance!
“To be honest, me going to London at that time, it just didn’t make sense at all.
“So, the minute I knew Manchester United were interested in me that was the only place I was going to go, really.”
Rooney revealed Abramovich was a fan of Steve McClaren – managing Boro at the time – so wanted the player to get experience under him.
But the England star instead signed for United on deadline day in 2004 for £27million – becoming a legend at the club.
Rooney revealed he was watching an episode of Coronation Street with his partner Colleen when Paul Scholes urged him to join United.
He said: “While I was still at Everton, I was sat at home one night and watching Coronation Street and my house phone rings.
“So I answered it, it’s Paul Scholes,” he said. “Like, ‘Wazza, it’s Scholesy… are you going to sign for us or what?’ I was just sat there, I was like: What’s going on here?”
United wanted to sign him in 2005 but under competition from Newcastle they made their move early – signing him on deadline day.
Rooney revealed: “I think, if I’m being honest, that Alex Ferguson wanted to wait another year.
“And then Newcastle kept coming in and I would have gone to Newcastle if United didn’t sign me then,” he said.
“It got to the last day and then [Everton chairman] Bill Kenwright wouldn’t send the forms over. And Bill, God rest him, was very emotional.
“And I’m a local lad from Liverpool playing for Everton. It was massive. And he actually got on the phone, put his mum on the phone to me when I was at Old Trafford, then he got on the phone and he was crying down the phone.”
Rooney spent 13 seasons at Old Trafford, winning five Premier League titles and lifting the Champions League in 2008.
My agent then went and spoke to Abramovich and their team basically and they said, yeah, they wanted to sign me, then send me out on loan to Middlesbrough. It was like, no chance!
Wayne Rooney on almost signing for Chelsea in 2004
But it was not always smiles at United under Sir Alex.
Rooney twice tried to leave the club – in 2010 and then three years later – when Jose Mourinho wanted to again sign him for Chelsea.
The Prem great revealed: “I think they said to Chelsea that they wanted £44m for me and Chelsea didn’t get to the £44m.
“And then I think they were offering Torres and Ramires as well as money to Manchester United and they didn’t take it.
“But that was quite close. I spoke to Jose a few times.”
Rooney stayed at United before leaving in 2017 to return to Everton for a year, joining DC United in MLS in 2018 for a season.
The former Three Lions skipper finished his playing career at Derby in 2021 after a season and went into coaching.
Rooney has had spells with Derby, DC United, Birmingham and most recently Plymouth, who sacked him in December.
The 39-year-old is yet to return to management – since joining Match of The Day as a pundit regular.
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