Man Utd legend Nemanja Vidic believes Wayne Rooney could have achieved ‘much more’ if he followed Cristiano Ronaldo’s lead

• Vidic a long-time team-mate of Rooney
• Won Premier League titles together
• But defender feels Rooney could have been better

WHAT HAPPENED? Despite Rooney finishing his career as United’s all-time record goalscorer, his late-career fitness was questioned by Vidic, who claimed a greater commitment to training like Cristiano Ronaldo would have seen him perform at a higher level.

Ronaldo and Rooney were team-mates with the Red Devils before Ronaldo’s move to Real Madrid, though their relationship has become icy in recent years.

WHAT THEY SAID: “You see Cristiano on Instagram, it’s all flashy stuff but he deserves it,” Vidic said on Rio Ferdinand’s Vibe with Five podcast. “At his age, 18, 19, to 21 to have that mentality to work hard, not go out, fight for your dream, the way he did it he deserves everything he got. For me, Wayne Rooney, he failed in terms of that.

“He is the one I think, if he was closer in mentality as Cristiano Ronaldo he can achieve much more. Definitely, that is my feeling. Physically he was amazing, technically as well. He is a great team-mate on the pitch, him and Carlos Tevez, as a defender you want them on the pitch, they worked hard for the team.”

AND WHAT’S MORE: Vidic continued: “In one moment they are similar, the same. What brought Cristiano Ronaldo much higher was his mentality to change, to work hard, to improve, to have goals. I’m not saying Wayne didn’t have a mentality, but he played pure on his talent. He didn’t invest in his body, invest in extra trainings, the physical side.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Rooney is now in a new stage of his life, aiming to work his way up the managerial ranks. He’s currently in charge of MLS club DC United and has been credited in the United States for his positive influence on developing players.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

GettyGetty ImagesGetty

WHAT NEXT? Ferdinand seemed to thoroughly enjoy Vidic’s presence on his podcast, so there might be more of that tandem in the future. Meanwhile, Rooney is likely to make an eventual move back to Europe to continue his coaching career if the right offer arrives.