Wayne Rooney

This detailed biography charts Wayne Rooney's remarkable rise to the top, climaxing with his 2006 season at Manchester United and his impact on the world stage in Germany.

Wayne Rooney is undoubtedly the most talked-about young footballer in Britain, due to his undeniable skills, record transfer fees and controversial off-the-field activities. But what is the real story behind the headlines and what makes the 'boy wonder' tick?

In August 2004, Rooney became the world's most expensive teenager after joining Manchester United for the sum of œ27 million. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson staked his reputation and budget on the player, whose decision to leave Everton inspired death threats from his former fans in Merseyside.

But is Rooney the new Pel‚ or is he heading for early burn-out like George Best and Paul Gascoigne? Was the fee paid a small price to pay for the greatest young talent in the world or an obscene amount to spend on a teenager who could be destroyed by his own inner demons? Speculation has already been rife about his private life after it was reported that he had visited massage parlours, and he has a turbulent relationship with his fianc‚e Coleen.

This book tells the full, explosive story of Wayne Rooney's rise to fame and builds a portrait of his crazy life as a young football star.