Rooney was known for his tenacious will and physical prowess. He also revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson once asked him to take painkiller injections and play through serious injuries.

Rooney said on the "Stick to United" podcast: "I remember the game against Bayern Munich in 2010. I drove to the stadium on crutches, while the team came by bus.

"I walked into the dressing room to cheer on my teammates, and in the end, I actually started that game." Co-host Mark Goldbridge then asked him how such a bizarre situation came about.

Rooney added: "Because Ferguson told me to get an injection and play. I got the shot, but I was substituted at halftime. When I took off my boots at halftime, my ankle was swollen like that."

The former striker was then asked about Manchester United's current injury problems and Bruno Fernandes's persistent minor injury.

He continued: "He gives me the feeling of someone who wants to play every game, and I used to be the same way. I don't think there's anything wrong with him wanting to play for Portugal.

"If the problem was serious enough that he couldn't play for Manchester United for the next few weeks, then that would be different, but right now it looks more like he's trying to manage the injury. Honestly, 90% of the time in the Premier League you're playing with some kind of injury; you always have something bothering you.

"I think it's a good thing that players want to play, and we shouldn't judge them for it; it's actually admirable. With the Nations League now, players will naturally miss some games."

Manchester United is currently dealing with an injury crisis, with Sesko having shin problems, Mainoo and Rashford unavailable for national team duty, and Fernandes playing through an injury.

Manager Ruben Amorim is concerned about this. His start as coach has not been ideal, with the team drawing two matches, losing two, and winning only one.

Rooney was also asked if he would accept a retrospectively awarded Premier League winner's medal after Manchester City was found guilty of most charges.

He said: "I heard Ferdinand has come out and said he wants another Premier League medal. Honestly, if I were offered another Premier League medal, I wouldn't feel comfortable.

"I don't think we deserved it; we weren't good enough that year to win the league. We were six or seven points ahead with four or five games left, but we ended up losing the title."

"I've seen all the news that's come out in the past few days, and I've heard many people's opinions. I put myself in the shoes of the Manchester City players. They are also players, and they have been trying their best to win the Premier League. In their hearts, they have already won it. If those players didn't even know what was happening above them, if this happened to me... I would be devastated.

"This might happen, and they might have their medals taken back, but I wouldn't want that medal because I don't think we, as a team, deserved it that year, since we didn't finish first."

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