Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney explains why he wants City to beat Liverpool to the Premier League title
"They won the Champions League in 2005 and fans are still talking about it!" the boyhood Everton fan joked on talkSPORT
Wayne Rooney could not bear to see Liverpool end their 29-year wait for a league title.
The boyhood Everton fan, who played for the Toffees as well as Manchester United, worries for his ears if the Reds win the Premier League because fans would still be talking about it in 15 years time just like they do about their most recent Champions League success.
It’s a two-horse race at the top as Liverpool, who last won the league in 1990, and Manchester City battle it out for glory, with it looking like it will go down to the wire.
“It’s a great reason to be out the country when those two are going head to head for the title,” Rooney, who plays for MLS side DC United, joked with talkSPORT.
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Whilst acknowledging City and Liverpool are the two best teams in the country, the 33-year-old clearly has a preference on who he wants to see crowned champions.
“I hope Man City get over the line before Liverpool,” he told the Drivetime show.
"I couldn’t bear to see them win it, it would be a nightmare for any Evertonian.
“I remember in 2005 they won the Champions League and they’re still talking about it now so it would be another 10 or 15 years of that!”
Liverpool currently lead City by two points, with Pep Guardiola's reigning champions having a game in hand.
They host Tottenham at Anfield next, while City head to Fulham.
LIVE on talkSPORT
There are seven live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...
- England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
- Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
- San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
- Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
Asked about City and England flyer Raheem Sterling, who has scored 15 Premier League goals this season and created nine, Rooney credited Guardiola's influence.
"Raheem has always had the talent and the ability but the one thing he has improved on massively is his knowledge of the game and tactically he is a lot better since working with Pep Guardiola.
"He is doing fantastic so I am really pleased for him,” adding the abuse the 24-year-old has received in the past is 'baffling'.
"He will be up for Player of the Year for sure this season, he is doing fantastic."
