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'I shouldn't have played that game' - Wayne Rooney reveals he battled through illness in famous Man Utd Champions League win at Arsenal as he reflects on iconic Cristiano Ronaldo link-up

Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain

Auxerre

Premier League

Arsenal

Newcastle

<p>In the build-up to Arsenal's Champions League semi-final tie with Paris Saint-Germain, Rooney told the Amazon Prime audience about his struggles in preparing for the last fixture played at the Emirates at this stage of the competition. Rooney was suffering with an illness ahead of the all-Premier League affair. That didn't stop the United legend from influencing the game, as he joined up with Cristiano Ronaldo to produce a famous counter-attack goal which kickstarted a 3-1 win for the Red Devils. United won the tie 4-1 on aggregate.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A semi-final for the ages 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLonPrime?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLonPrime</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/WayneRooney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WayneRooney</a> <a href="https://t.co/QiIdH5LZqK">pic.twitter.com/QiIdH5LZqK</a></p>— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) <a href="https://twitter.com/primevideosport/status/1917273887504580659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>While his team-mates celebrated the victory, Rooney went straight to bed, prompting host Gabby Logan to joke that the Liverpudlian must have seriously been under the weather to miss out. Between the jokes, the 38-year-old spoke about the tactical flexibility sides need to have at this level of competition, sharing that Sir Alex Ferguson's side were happy to play on the counter against the possession-based style of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Rooney said: "I shouldn't have played this game, I wasn't well at all. The doctor gave me a load of medication to get me through the game. We had a bit of a party after this game but I didn't go, I went straight to bed.</p><p>"We knew how to play against Arsenal for many years. We'd change our game, we'd play a lot more defensive. We'd play a low block, and like that goal there, we'd try to hit them on the break. To win any major competition, to win the Champions League especially, you have to adapt certain games and certain opposition."</p><p><strong></strong></p>

WHAT WAYNE ROONEY SAID

<p>That United team had the chance to become the first side to win the Champions League in back-to-back seasons. They would  fall victim to Pep Guardiola's all-conquering Barcelona in the showpiece event in Rome, losing 2-0 thanks goals by Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi. </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

NEWS TEMPLATE | Goal.com

Wayne Rooney has revealed he was ill in Manchester United&apos;s famous 3-1 away win over Arsenal in the semi-final of the 2008-09 Champions League.

&apos;I shouldn&apos;t have played that game&apos; - Wayne Rooney reveals he battled through illness in famous Man Utd Champions League win at Arsenal as he reflects on iconic Cristiano Ronaldo link-up

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