Wayne Rooney learned Jude Bellingham was special after being man-marked by the England midfielder
‘He’d leave a stud in on me’: Wayne Rooney learned Jude Bellingham was special after being man-marked by the England star at just 16-years-old… as he admits ‘Man United could really do with a player like him’
Wayne Rooney has revealed that he knew England star Jude Bellingham was a special player at the age of just 16-years-old.
The Manchester United legend came up against the Borussia Dortmund midfielder back when he was playing for Birmingham City during the 2019/20 season.
It was the final day of the season when Birmingham suffered a 3-1 defeat to Rooney’s Derby County before Bellingham left St Andrew’s after one single season to head off to the Bundesliga side.
Wayne Rooney was man-marked by Jude Bellingham was he just 16-years-old at Birmingham
Rooney says he knew the England star was special after facing him during the 2019/20 season
The 19-year-old is now expected to play a key role for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, having been named in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad.
Rooney insists the Three Lions can learn from his character despite his young age, as he’s not afraid to get stuck in – the former striker knows that from first hand experience.
‘I played against Bellingham when he was at Birmingham and I was at Derby,’ Rooney told TalkSport.
The 19-year-old is now expected to play a key role for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
‘And he actually man-marked me during the game, I think he was about 16, maybe just 17, and what I really liked about him is every time I passed the ball off, he’d leave a stud in on me.
‘And I remember thinking, ‘he’s got something about him’, and just to show the character to go out to Germany and take that league by storm.
‘That mentality to perform, obviously he’s been captain in quite a few of the games as well, he’s going to be a huge player for England.
‘Just that mentality, even though he’s young, he can put some of that character into some of the rest of the squad in my eyes.’
England’s all-time top goalscorer is also hoping his former club United can beat off Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City to Bellingham’s signature.
Rooney is hoping Manchester United can beat off Liverpool and Man City to sign Bellingham
The midfielder has been linked with numerous high-profile clubs including the Reds, City and even Spanish giants Real Madrid.
‘I hope so! I hope he doesn’t go to Liverpool or [Manchester] City,’ Rooney added.
‘But I’m sure they’re doing their work, he’s probably the hottest youngster in world football at the minute
‘I’m sure United are looking at that as well, I know they tried to get him a couple of years ago, so I’d hope so.
‘He’s a player that United could really do with at the minute.’
