SOCOM on PlayStation: Wayne Rooney reveals the surprising secret to Man Utd's success

London: Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has revealed a surprising secret behind the iconic team's success during the Sir Alex Ferguson era — the PlayStation Portable (PSP) game SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 3.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the football legend described how he and teammates such as Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, and Wes Brown would engage in five-on-five battles of the tactical military shooter SOCOM during away travels on flights and team buses.

Rooney highlighted that the game fostered strong communication, strategic thinking, and teamwork — skills that seamlessly translated from the video game to the football pitch. “It got us communicating more,” Rooney said. “You had to talk, be tactically right, revive people when they got killed, and it was a massive part of our success. Ask any player who played it; it was brilliant.”

He also noted that the playing styles in the game reflected the players’ real-life football personalities. “Michael Carrick was the calm, sneaky type, lying in wait to launch a grenade, while I was all in, charging straight into the frontline,” he explained.

However, not all players enjoyed the noisy gaming sessions. Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was often annoyed by the shouting and tried to distance himself from the chaos, revealing the different team dynamics off the field.

Former teammates Rio Ferdinand and Ben Foster have also acknowledged the importance of SOCOM in bonding the squad, emphasising how these gaming sessions built trust and camaraderie crucial for their victories.

Rooney’s revelations shed new light on the unique factors behind Manchester United’s golden era, which included five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League triumph under Sir Alex Ferguson.