Manchester United News

You won't believe the curious way Rooney sleeps

The Manchester legend's habit originates from his early days as a footballer.

By Axel Reyes

The Manchester legend's habit originates from his early days as a footballer.
The Manchester legend's habit originates from his early days as a footballer.
Síguenos enSíguenos en Google News

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has revealed an unusual habit he has before going to sleep at night to help him rest.

Wayne Rooney, one of English football's most iconic figures and a former Manchester United player, has always been a character who attracts attention both on and off the pitch. With a career full of achievements and accolades, Rooney has not only stood out for his talent and skill but also for his personal habits. Following a conversation with Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Ian Wright for The Overlap, it is precisely his daily routine that has generated interest and curiosity among his fans.

Bedtime routines vary widely among people, depending on factors such as lifestyle, responsibilities, and personal preferences. While some may have meticulous and well-established rituals, others may opt for more flexible and spontaneous habits. The diversity of these practices reflects the many ways in which each individual can prepare for a night of restful sleep, a crucial objective for physical and mental well-being.

Wayne Rooney's Bedtime Ritual

Recently, Rooney shared his curious custom during a live stream on Twitch: "If I'm in bed on my own, I sleep with the hairdryer on... all night. I put it on cold. It's in the bed right next to me blowing on my head." He also revealed that his bedroom has two fans beside his bed.

Rooney's habit is not new; in a previous publication of his autobiography, "My Story So Far," the former footballer confessed that he used a vacuum cleaner or a hairdryer to help him sleep. In this biography, Rooney, then 20 years old, commented: "I've ruined so many hairdryers by letting them burn out."

The relationship between the former England captain and Alex Ferguson, his legendary manager at Manchester United, is also a topic of conversation among fans. Many fans attribute this peculiar behaviour to a consequence of his time under Ferguson's management, known for his "hairdryer treatment," a severe reprimand to players during halftime of matches (because ten minutes of Alex Ferguson shouting in your face has the same effect as the electrical appliance). Rooney, who had a love-hate relationship with Ferguson, seems to have taken the hairdryer metaphor to another level, but in a less intense and more literal version.

The Rooney case is being analysed by experts

Sports psychologist Ellis Cashmore, from Staffordshire University, suggests that these eccentricities may be part of the players' success: "Eccentricities may be part of the reason why they are so successful." In addition to Rooney, other English players such as David Beckham and Steven Gerrard have also revealed peculiarities in their behaviours. Beckham, for example, suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which leads him to organise his belongings and align them in pairs.

David Beckham physically suffered the "hairdryer treatment" from Ferguson. After a defeat against Arsenal in the 2003 FA Cup, the manager injured the midfielder by kicking a boot in his direction, and everything escalated when Beckham later appeared with an 'x'-shaped plaster on his eyebrow.