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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney enjoyed a special family moment on Saturday thanks to the heroics of his brother John.
Macclesfield manager John led his team to an emphatic victory over reigning champions Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup.
National League North side Macclesfield hosted Palace in a match that was largely expected to be a walk in the park for Palace. Unexpectedly, it was the underdogs who emerged victorious with a heroic 2-1 win.
In a moving moment, Wayne gave his reaction to his brother’s performance, which he had the pleasure of witnessing from the sidelines.
Wayne’s awe for his brother
“To see my younger brother achieve this, he hasn’t been in management that long. To reach the fourth round of the FA Cup and beat a Premier League team at Crystal Palace, I’m so proud of him,” Wayne explained, getting choked up as he spoke to the BBC (via The sun).
“He looked calm – I don’t know how. It’s such an achievement what he did today. Absolutely fantastic,” he continued before John walked over to the crew and hugged his brother.
“I feel the same way,” John replied. “I still can’t believe it. I can’t wrap my head around it. I can’t find the words for it right now.”
“From the first minute I thought we were incredible. I thought we were deserved winners and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.”
Interestingly, the Rooney brothers weren’t the only ones with links to United in this historic match.
The United Connection
It just so happened that Shea Lacey’s brother, Luis, played for Macclesfield.
But of course there were also several Palace players with transfer links to United on the pitch.
One midfielder mentioned in many reports is Adam Wharton.
“I think it’s the players who play for Palace more often that I think are more disappointing,” said Rooney, before focusing on the midfielder. “I think Wharton has been very sloppy; he has given away too many balls. It is the players who have to help the younger players who have come into the team.”
“Captain Guehi, Wharton, I think they have been slow and complacent on the ball. I am more disappointed with them than the players who have come in,” he concluded.
Rooney’s assessment is blunt but fair, and United may well have doubts about Wharton given his last performance.
Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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