Making Peace with Sir Alex Ferguson Underlines Maturing Wayne Rooney at Man Utd

Last month, Wayne Rooney celebrated 10 years at Manchester United.

It was in August 2004 that an 18-year-old Rooney became the world's most expensive teenager when he swapped Goodison Park for Old Trafford. 

He had shown off his considerable talents at Euro 2004, scoring four goals in four games as England reached the quarter-finals. It was early notice he would make good on the promise he demonstrated as a 16-year-old, with that looping effort that had David Seaman grasping at thin air.

Rooney might have have progressed through Everton's ranks. But he's grown up at United. A decade on, he's a different player. He's technically better, more thoughtful, with an improved range of passing.

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He might have lost a step of pace. But he's a better finisher, not as prone to snatch at chances as he's learned that you don't get that many in the Premier League or in Europe.

But it's off the pitch where the change has been most drastic. Those who follow United at home and abroad have seen him slowly take on more responsibility. 

He's always been happy to express himself in the dressing room. But the older he's got, he's come to learn how to be a team's spokesman, fronting up in difficult circumstances when no one else will.

There was a time, not that long ago, when he would walk through mixed zones staring straight ahead, desperate not to make eye contact with journalists.

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Louis van Gaal and Roy Hodgson have sufficient trust in his ability to lead that they named him captain of United and England. There are a lot of press commitments in both jobs. But it's something he's come to accept.

On Tuesday, in an interview with United's in-house television channel MUTV and carried by the Manchester Evening News, Rooney publicly thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for the influence his former manager has had on his career.

It has been billed as the end of a feud that had come to a head during Ferguson's final year in charge. But, more than that, it was further proof that Rooney has learned the benefit of looking at the bigger picture.

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He was vitally important.

I think he’s an incredible person and manager, the way you see his desire for the game. He certainly helped me a lot and helped us all.

At the time I was coming into the squad as a young lad and there were a few other young lads. He brought all that together and made us world champions. I’m very grateful for everything he’s done.

Sir Alex is the best manager there’s been and for him to recognise my talent and want me to join this club was a great honour for me.

I was nervous of course. It was a bit weird because I met him here at the training ground and then went to finalise it at Old Trafford. He drove me over, just the two of us in his car. I remember being nervous but he was great and made me feel comfortable.

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There was a time during his younger days when it looked like Rooney might never grow up. That his career might always be interrupted by needless red cards and off-field controversies. 

On the pitch, he's not been booked in a competitive game since February. Off it, he's made an effort to lead the teams he represents—even before he was given a captain's armband.

Starting to mend his relationship with Fergie is another small step in his transformation. The wonder kid is slowly turning into a leader of men.