Wayne Rooney, Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer, has never been shy about sharing stories from his illustrious career at Old Trafford. But his latest revelation on The Wayne Rooney Show has fans and pundits alike talking—not just about his on-field heroics, but about a hilariously awkward moment involving his wife, Coleen, and former United manager Louis van Gaal.
Rooney, who netted a record 253 goals for the Red Devils over 13 memorable years, reflected on the Dutchman’s colorful personality and the unique bond they shared. Van Gaal, appointed as United’s manager in 2014, quickly made Rooney his captain and a central figure in his plans. But it wasn’t just tactics and training sessions that stood out during van Gaal’s tenure—it was his larger-than-life character, too.
Recalling a particularly memorable players’ lunch, Rooney described the first time van Gaal met Coleen. According to Rooney, “He came up to Coleen, first time he had met her, he said ‘your children, they look very much like the father’, she said ‘yeah’, he said ‘he has very strong sperm’. That was the first time he met her!” The anecdote, shared with a chuckle, illustrates just how unfiltered and exuberant van Gaal could be, even in social settings. Rooney added, “He was so funny, such a good character. We just moved on. I really liked him as a person. He was different and funny but as a coach I probably learned more from him than I did from anyone else.”
Van Gaal’s loud, bubbly personality was well known at Carrington and Old Trafford. Rooney has often credited the Dutchman as being the best tactically out of all the managers he played under—a list that includes the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, and Jose Mourinho. While Ferguson’s shadow looms large over United’s history, Rooney’s admiration for van Gaal’s methods is clear. “I have so much respect for him,” Rooney said, emphasizing the Dutchman’s influence on his own understanding of the game.
Yet, for all of van Gaal’s quirks and tactical acumen, his time at United was ultimately defined by both triumph and heartbreak. The 2015-16 season proved to be a rollercoaster. United finished fifth in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League qualification—a key factor in the club’s decision to part ways with van Gaal. But before his departure, van Gaal delivered a memorable parting gift: the FA Cup.
The final, played at Wembley on May 21, 2016, saw United face Crystal Palace. It was a dramatic contest, with Jesse Lingard scoring the decisive goal in extra time to seal a 2-1 victory for 10-man United. The win was a moment of pure elation for players and fans alike, a rare high in a turbulent campaign. But behind the scenes, uncertainty loomed large.
Rooney, who played a pivotal role in that final, offered a candid glimpse into the aftermath of the cup triumph. “We won the cup, we had the after party. Louis was stood over with his wife and a couple of friends and he was very quiet, that just weren’t him. When you see his character and personality, that just was not him.” According to Rooney, van Gaal’s wife may have learned of his impending dismissal at halftime, casting a shadow over the celebrations.
Despite the emotional toll, van Gaal’s professionalism never wavered. Rooney recalled, “He made us all get up at 8am [the next morning], come down for breakfast and we are all hungover. Fair play to him, he gave every player the schedule, what he wants from them, what he expects from them in the off-season. He stuck to his job until it was confirmed he was sacked.” The image of a weary but dutiful squad gathering for one last meeting with their manager—complete with nametags at every meal “like a wedding,” as Rooney joked—underscores the Dutchman’s commitment to the role, even as his fate was sealed.
Van Gaal’s sacking came just two days after lifting the FA Cup. The decision, driven by United’s failure to secure a top-four Premier League finish, remains a point of debate among supporters and analysts. Rooney, for his part, expressed deep respect for how van Gaal handled the situation. “It was really sad because you looked at him, big personality, we had just won the FA Cup, and he knew—we all knew—that he was going to be sacked. Fair play to him, he stuck to his job until the end and I have a lot of respect for him for that.”
The Dutchman’s departure marked the end of an era defined by both hope and frustration. While United’s trophy cabinet gained another piece of silverware, questions lingered about the club’s direction. Rooney, reflecting on the broader culture at Old Trafford, noted, “Listen, I’ve seen it, players will throw the manager under the bus when they need to to protect themselves.” It’s a candid admission that speaks to the pressures and politics of life at a club of United’s stature.
In the years since van Gaal’s exit, United’s fortunes have continued to ebb and flow. The club’s current leadership, including the Ineos group and new manager Ruben Amorim, faces the challenge of restoring stability and ambition. There is a sense among fans that the lessons from van Gaal’s tenure—especially the dangers of prioritizing commercial interests over footballing philosophy—must not be forgotten. Van Gaal himself has publicly criticized United for being a “commercial club,” urging the new regime to put football first.
For Rooney, the van Gaal years remain a period of personal growth and lasting memories. From the infamous lunchroom introduction to the bittersweet FA Cup farewell, the Dutchman left an indelible mark on United’s modern history. “He was so funny, such a good character,” Rooney reiterated. “As a coach I probably learned more from him than I did from anyone else.”
As Manchester United continues to search for a winning formula, the stories and legacies of figures like van Gaal and Rooney serve as both inspiration and cautionary tale. The club’s journey is far from over, but its past is never far from the minds of those who wear the famous red shirt—or those who cheer them on, season after season.
For now, the Red Devils press on, hoping that the next chapter at Old Trafford will be written with the same passion, resilience, and, perhaps, a touch of the humor that defined the van Gaal era.
