'He'd have me out of there in one round!' - Wayne Rooney fight turned down by Premier League winner despite new career in boxing as Man Utd legend is offered sparring session

Simpson formed part of United’s academy ranks when Rooney made his way to Old Trafford in 2004 as the most expensive teenager in world football at the time. Simpson made his competitive debut for United in 2007, with Rooney well on course to becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer by that point.

Rooney ended his United career with 253 goals and moved into management once he hung up his boots. Coaching endeavours have not played out as planned, with testing spells being taken in at Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City and Plymouth Argyle. The former England captain is now back on punditry duty.

While stepping away from competitive sport, Rooney has hinted in the past that he would welcome the opportunity to lace up a pair of gloves. Simpson has already trodden that path, having faced YouTuber Danny Aarons in an exhibition bout that ended in a split decision draw.

Quizzed by GOAL on whether he would like to face off against Rooney, Simpson - speaking in association with Spreadex Sports - said: “Not Wazza, no! He’s a little bit bigger than me! He’s definitely a different weight and he’d have me out of there in one round! I’d give it a go in sparring. I’d spar with him, but I don’t think I’d put myself on the main stage with him. He is strong and I have seen him box a little bit. I’d definitely stay away from his weight class.”

Simpson, who claimed the Premier League crown with Leicester in 2026, had previously told iFL TV in September 2024: “I’m seeing him next Saturday because we’ve got a charity game at Old Trafford against Celtic. Listen, I’d have a go with Wazza. He’s a boxer, I know he is. He’s been around it, everyone’s got to back themselves, so why not?”

While Simpson has changed his tune, Rooney has explored potential routes into the ring. Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn told the Peter Crouch Podcast: “Rooney can fight, I’ve spoken to Wayne. When Wayne has a drink, he’ll message me and he’ll start going, ‘I’ll fight him and I’ll fight him,’ and I get excited. Sometimes I get a message from Wayne saying, ‘Make me vs so and so, make that fight.’ I’ll look at it in the morning and go, ‘This is massive’. So I’ll message him back, ‘Few glasses of red or [are you serious?]’. Then he won’t reply and I’ll go, ‘Damn.’ But Wayne can fight.”

A spot on one of the cards for Misfits Boxing has also been discussed, with KSI saying of those proposals: “I think he's probably going to have to lose a bit of weight before he gets into the ring. But if he's actually serious about wanting to fight, then Misfits have their arms wide open.”

Ex-Sheffield United and QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has offered to provide opposition for Rooney after facing questions from the United great about his role in Manchester City’s dramatic Premier League title win in 2012 - with it Kenny that conceded Sergio Aguero’s iconic stoppage-time winner. He has told Boxing Social: “He keeps hammering me about that Aguero goal, so I think me and him need to sort it out in the ring. 13 years on, he’s still saying I let the goals in! It might have looked like I let them in but I didn’t!”

No imminent return to management appears to be on the cards for Rooney. Simpson has suggested that a role should be found for a club legend back at Old Trafford - in a coaching capacity - while the United icon is also preparing to star in a fly-on-the-wall documentary series from Disney+ alongside wife Coleen and their four sons.