Why Rooney Partied with Man City Players is one of the most surprising revelations in Manchester derby history. The Manchester derby is one of football’s fiercest rivalries, filled with drama, iconic goals, and unforgettable moments. Few players have been at the heart of this rivalry quite like Wayne Rooney. As Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer, Rooney has experienced both euphoric victories and crushing defeats against Manchester City. But one of the most shocking stories he has shared came during The Wayne Rooney Show, his BBC podcast, when he admitted that he partied with Manchester City players just hours after United’s humiliating 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford in October 2011.
Yes — you read that right. The night of one of the most painful results in Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, Rooney hosted a birthday party that featured some of the very same players who had just dismantled United. This surprising story has sparked debate among fans and pundits: why would a United legend choose to celebrate with rivals after such a result?
Let’s dive deep into Rooney’s comments, the context of that infamous day, his other derby memories, and what this says about football culture, rivalries, and the human side of elite athletes.
The Infamous 6-1 Manchester Derby
To understand why Rooney partied with Man City players, we need to revisit that day: October 23, 2011. Manchester United were defending Premier League champions and still widely considered the dominant force in English football. Manchester City, meanwhile, were emerging as genuine title contenders under Roberto Mancini, thanks to massive investment from their Abu Dhabi owners.
The match started competitively, but the second half turned into a nightmare for United. Mario Balotelli famously revealed his “Why Always Me?” shirt after scoring, and City ran riot, eventually winning 6-1 — their biggest win at Old Trafford since the 1920s. For United fans, it was an unthinkable humiliation.
Rooney recalls the experience vividly:
“I think that was a big moment for City back then because you could feel City coming up and getting closer to us. But to come to Old Trafford and win 6-1, I think that was a statement. I remember being on the pitch and it was horrible. It was like in the second half, just felt like it was goal after goal, and you’re just like, ‘oh, get me off this pitch.’”
For a player so passionate and competitive, the idea of celebrating that night seems unthinkable — but that is exactly what happened.
Why Rooney Partied with Man City Players
Rooney revealed that he had already planned a birthday party for that night, and cancelling it was not an option:
“After something like that I’d usually just go home. But I had a birthday party. Joe Hart, Gareth Barry and a few of the City players were invited to my birthday party. You’ve got family, friends, everyone who’s made their own plans to come. I was like, ‘I can’t cancel it’ so I went.”
The party ended up being an unusual mix of United and City players sharing the same space just hours after one of the most lopsided derbies ever played.
“We’ve got the United lads, some of the City lads sat there. I think it was me, Crouchy [Peter Crouch], Harty [Joe Hart] — we all got up and did a song of Backstreet Boys. Looking back, I should have cancelled, but it was the friends and family who’d all booked the time off and got the babysitters and stuff.”
This revelation sheds light on the fact that, off the pitch, footballers often share friendships across club lines. While rivalries are intense on the field, players remain part of a relatively small professional circle where personal relationships transcend team colours.
The Culture of Footballers Socializing
Some fans were quick to criticize Rooney’s decision, arguing that it sent the wrong message after such a loss. But football insiders know that players often maintain friendships with rivals. England teammates like Rooney, Hart, and Barry had spent years together in international camps.
Moreover, the culture of football has evolved. The days when rivals would rarely speak to each other off the pitch are largely gone. Players now train together, holiday together, and yes — sometimes party together, even after big matches.
Still, Rooney himself admits that, in hindsight, the optics of the night were bad. A party featuring victorious City players on the same night United were embarrassed at home could not have gone down well with fans.
Rooney’s Other Manchester Derby Memories
Rooney’s career was full of dramatic Manchester derby moments, not all of them painful. His most famous contribution came months before the 6-1 defeat, when he scored arguably the greatest goal in Premier League history:
“I was so bad in that game. It’s one of the worst games I’ve ever played. I couldn’t control a ball. I think it’s more of an iconic goal because it’s the derby, you score and win the game 2-1. But you don’t practise overhead kicks.”
That overhead kick — a stunning bicycle kick from Nani’s cross — sealed a 2-1 win for United in February 2011 and is still remembered as one of the defining moments of his career. It won the Premier League Goal of the 20 Seasons award in 2012.
Rooney says his favourite derby memory, however, was in 2007 when United beat City 1-0 through a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty to go to the brink of the title:
“The next day we won the league. We obviously all met up and went out. But I think we knew if we won that game [against City], we won the league.”
Rooney’s Podcast and His Take on Rivalries
The BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show has become a platform where the legendary striker opens up about football in ways fans rarely heard during his playing days. Discussing why he partied with Man City players after the 6-1 derby shows Rooney’s willingness to be candid — even at the risk of criticism.
He and co-host Shaun Wright-Phillips (a former City winger) also discussed footballing families, offering insights into the pressures facing the next generation of players. Rooney spoke about his son Kai, who plays for Manchester United’s U18s despite being just 15:
“Kai and [when Cristiano] Ronaldo came back, Ronaldo’s lads and Michael Carrick’s lad were all on the same team. You go and watch and then all of a sudden there’s like 10 times the amount of people that’s normally there… so there’s a lot more pressure because they’re coming to watch the three kids.”
This segment further highlights Rooney’s human side — a father watching his son navigate the pressures of football, just as he once did.
The Impact of the 6-1 Derby on United and City
The 6-1 defeat wasn’t just a one-off embarrassment — it signalled a shift in power in Manchester. City went on to win the Premier League that season in dramatic fashion, with Sergio Agüero’s last-gasp goal against QPR. United, meanwhile, were left to rebuild and respond, which they eventually did by reclaiming the title in 2013 — Ferguson’s final season.
For City fans, the 6-1 win remains one of their most cherished memories. For United fans, it is a scar that still stings more than a decade later.
Why Rooney’s Honesty Matters
By sharing stories like this, Rooney is helping fans understand the reality behind the scenes. Players are human beings first, athletes second. They have personal lives, birthdays, and friendships that don’t always align with fan expectations.
Yes, why Rooney partied with Man City players still raises eyebrows, but it also shows that even in defeat, life goes on — a perspective that is often lost in the high-pressure world of elite sport.
Final Thoughts
Wayne Rooney’s revelation about partying with City players after United’s 6-1 humiliation adds a fascinating layer to the history of the Manchester derby. It reminds us that footballers live complex lives beyond the pitch, balancing loyalty to their clubs with personal relationships and commitments.
For fans, this story may be hard to swallow, but it also shows Rooney’s character: a man willing to admit his regrets, share his experiences, and keep the conversation about football real and relatable.
As Manchester City and Manchester United prepare to meet again, Rooney’s memories — both the highs and the lows — will be part of the narrative that makes this rivalry one of the most compelling in world football.