Ex- United striker, Rooney reveals mistake Sir Alex made in 2008 FA defeat to Portsmouth

Wayne Rooney reveals mistake Sir Alex made in 2008 FA defeat to Portsmouth at Old Trafford.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, claims the United camp knew defeat against the Blues that day robbed them of another historic treble.

According to the former Red devils star, Sir Alex Ferguson ‘didn’t speak a word’ to his Manchester United players for ‘about two weeks’ after Pompey’s FA Cup quarter-final victory at Old Trafford in 2008.

Pompey beat the hosts 1-0 thanks to a 78th-minute Sulley Muntari penalty.

The midfielder beat stand-in keeper Rio Ferdinand from the penalty spot after substitute keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was sent off for upending Milan Baros.

And speaking to the MU Podcast, former United favourite Rooney said the manager failed to speak to his players for a fortnight.

However, the ex-England captain was himself also unhappy.

He also revealed mistake Sir Alex made in 2008 FA defeat to Portsmouth was opting for Ferdinand to step into the keepers’ role instead of him.

‘That, still to this day I think, that Portsmouth game was… ‘And I always remember to this day, the biggest mistake the manager made was not putting me in goal.

‘I used to practice after training. When I’d finish all my stuff, I’d go with the goalie coach and the keepers and I’d go in goal.

I’d practice kicking with the keepers, I’d practice saves – I was just energetic, I had too much energy.

‘So I always remember saying: “if the keeper gets sent off any time, you have to put me in” he added.