Manchester United and Liverpool renew their historic rivalry this weekend at Old Trafford, with both teams vying for Champions League qualification. However, a former United captain has recalled a moment from a previous thrashing that he believes epitomised the club's loss of control.
Rooney reflects on 2014 defeat
Speaking on the Overlap's Stick to Football show in 2024, Wayne Rooney described the aftermath of United's 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool in March 2014. Under manager David Moyes, the team had just been outclassed by Brendan Rodgers' side, with goals from Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.
Rooney said: 'I always remember coming in after the Liverpool game when we got beat. Lads were coming in, dancing around the dressing room the next day, hip hop music on. I remember taking the music out. You can try to control as much as possible, but in the end you can't really.'
Dressing room culture shift
The former striker explained that the incident highlighted a broader problem at the club. 'We were losing the core of the team really. Giggsy, Rio, Vidic were all on their last legs. There was literally me and Michael Carrick left from that generation. Then you're getting the likes of Jesse Lingard, Welbeck, Cleverley. They've had good careers but it was never the same.'
When Gary Neville asked if this was the same incident where Paul Pogba was filmed dancing, Rooney confirmed it was a separate occurrence. 'That was another one after that! You look at it and you just think it's…' he shrugged.
Moyes' ill-fated tenure
David Moyes had taken over from Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the 2013-14 season but was sacked just over five weeks after the Liverpool defeat. United finished seventh that season, their lowest position in Premier League history at the time.
Since then, United have had multiple managers, with Michael Carrick currently in interim charge after replacing Ruben Amorim in January. Carrick has won nine of his 13 matches, prompting calls for him to be given the job permanently.
United currently sit third in the Premier League, three points ahead of Liverpool. Sunday's match promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for Champions League places, with bragging rights also at stake.
