Rooney praises PlayStation gaming for United's success
Wayne Rooney highlights how playing SOCOM on PSP helped Manchester United foster communication and teamwork during his time at the club.
Wayne Rooney credits Manchester United's success to the communication built through PlayStation gaming.
On his INLIBER podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United and England striker revealed that he and his teammates regularly played five-on-five matches of SOCOM on the PlayStation Portable during long journeys. "I truly believe a big part of our success came from playing on the PSP," said Rooney, who won five Premier League titles and a Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"We played on the plane and the team bus. It would be me, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, John O'Shea and Wes Brown. We had to communicate constantly, coordinate tactics and revive each other when someone was down. Ask any of those players—it was brilliant."
Rooney added that each player's style in the game mirrored their on-pitch personality. "Carrick was the calm, sneaky type, hiding in wait. I was always charging into the front line," he laughed.
Not everyone enjoyed the noise, though. "Edwin van der Sar would move away from us to avoid the shouting when we called out enemy positions," Rooney recalled.
West Ham need a solid foundation
Rooney also discussed West Ham’s struggles, arguing the club must build a "good foundation" rather than frequently changing managers. After a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, Graham Potter faces growing pressure, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Slaven Bilic and Gary O’Neil among the names linked as possible successors.
"It takes time to clear out players and bring in new ones. Then if results don't come, the manager is gone and you’re back to square one," Rooney said. "A strong foundation would help."
West Ham sit 19th in the Premier League, having conceded 12 goals in five matches—the joint-highest tally—and scored just five. They return to action on 29 September against Everton, reuniting Rooney with David Moyes.
"Clubs like Brentford and Brighton have clear playing philosophies that transcend managerial changes, and that consistency drives progress. Switching philosophies, as seen at Manchester United with Ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim, creates instability."
Rooney believes that the communication and teamwork fostered by PSP gaming played a crucial role in Manchester United’s success.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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