Wayne Rooney opens up on ‘horrible’ lowest moment in football after Man Utd legend ‘let his team-mates down’

WAYNE ROONEY has revealed being sent off at the 2006 World Cup was his lowest moment in football.

The England legend, 38, was shown a straight red card for stamping on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho during a quarter-final clash in Germany 18 years ago.

Wayne Rooney opened up about his stamp at the 2006 World Cup

PA:Press AssociationHe was shown a straight red for the violent stamp on Ricardo Carvalho[/caption]

GettyRooney was dismissed and England ended up losing to Portugal on penalties[/caption]

He was dismissed in the 61st minute with the game goalless, before England went on to lose on penalties.

And Rooney, who became Plymouth head coach over the weekend, admits it was a “horrible” moment.

Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, he said: “The red card in the World Cup was my lowest moment in football.

“That was a difficult one because I remember going in the dressing room and thinking, if we go through, I’m suspended for the semi-final and final if we get there. If we don’t, it’s your fault.

“It was horrible.”

Rooney had scored just 11 goals for his country at the time of the sending off.

But he would go on to add another 42 to that tally, becoming the then-record scorer for his country, before Harry Kane overtook his 53-goal mark.

Rooney racked up 120 appearances for England – while he also became Manchester United‘s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals.

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He retired in January 2021 and has gone on to coach Derby, DC United and Birmingham.

Rooney was sacked by Birmingham in January after winning just two of 15 games at the helm.

But he has already returned to Championship football with Plymouth.

Following the announcement, he said: “Taking this role at Plymouth Argyle feels like the perfect next step in my career – and I would like to thank the chairman and board for the faith they have shown in me. 

“This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army. 

“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park.

“The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it. 

“I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.”