Wayne Rooney has revealed an unexpected factor that he believes played a significant role in Manchester United’s remarkable success during his time at the club.
According to the club’s all-time leading scorer, a handheld PlayStation game helped the squad bond in ways that training alone never could. The game in question is SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs on the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Rooney revealed that this tactical military shooter became a regular part of team life, whether on the bus heading to away matches or flying across Europe for Champions League fixtures.
What started as a way to pass the time soon became a powerful tool for building chemistry among some of the biggest names in football. “I really believe a big part of our success was playing the PSP,” Rooney admitted in a recent interview. For him, the hours spent locked into intense gaming sessions with teammates created a unique bond that naturally carried over to the pitch.
The beauty of SOCOM was that it demanded teamwork. Squads of five had to constantly communicate, coordinate strategies, and adapt when one of their own was eliminated. Rooney explained how his usual gaming group included Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, and Wes Brown, players who were central to United’s dominance at the time.
“You have to talk, you’d have to tactically be right and go and revive people when they get killed,” Rooney said, pointing out how the game’s mechanics reflected the principles of football itself. The experience sharpened communication, trust, and awareness, skills that proved invaluable on matchdays.
Perhaps most intriguing was how each player’s style in the game mirrored their approach on the field. Carrick, renowned for his calmness and vision in midfield, played SOCOM with the same quiet intelligence. He was patient, positioning himself carefully, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Rooney, on the other hand, stayed true to the fearless, high-energy style that defined his career. “I was just all in. I was just like straight in, front line of the trenches, get in there,” he recalled. His aggressive in-game persona reflected the relentless drive that made him such a force for United.
These contrasting approaches complemented one another. By seeing how teammates thought and reacted under pressure, players developed a deeper understanding of one another’s instincts. That understanding, according to Rooney, was a crucial ingredient in turning a talented squad into a trophy-winning machine.
For supporters, it’s a fascinating glimpse behind the curtain of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. While much credit goes to training sessions, tactical drills, and leadership, Rooney’s revelation highlights how team culture often thrives in the smallest and most unexpected spaces. A simple handheld console became a bonding agent for one of football’s most successful squads, reminding fans and players alike that chemistry is built off the pitch as much as on it.
