Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has trolled Ruud Gullit on Twitter after he commented on Wayne Rooney’s situation at Manchester United.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho with Wayne Rooney
Speculation has been rife over Rooney’s future under Jose Mourinho after a poor run of form saw him dropped from the Red Devils side which thrashed Leicester City 4-1 on Saturday.
Mourinho played down the decision to leave out England’s all-time leading goalscorer insisting Rooney was as happy as the rest of his squad because Manchester United won the game.
Speaking as a pundit on BBC’s Match of the Day, Gullit, who previously managed Chelsea and Newcastle, backed Mourinho’s decision when asked by host Gary Lineker for his view with a cheeky nod to his infamous snub of Toon hero Shearer back in 1999.
Ruud Gullit
“It is (sometimes necessary) and it depends also on the player and how he takes it,” Gullit told MOTD.
“Sometimes you have to follow your instinct as a coach, and do the things that you think is right for the cause.
“Of course the crowd, the fans and the press will go on you but you have to stick to your plan and go on that and he (Mourinho) did, and I think he doesn’t want to talk about it – and I can understand it – because otherwise then it becomes a bigger event than it normally should be.”
Ruud Gullit during his time as Newcastle manager
The Dutchman infamously named Shearer on the bench for the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland in 1999 and also axed Duncan Ferguson, a decision which caused outrage at the time.
Gullit then claimed that Newcastle were doing better without the duo as his side tossed away a 1-0 lead in the game to lose on Tyneside 2-1.
Shearer was actually beaten to the manager’s office the next morning by Ferguson who made his feelings known to the ex-AC Milan ace.
Record Premier League goalscorer and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer
And the Premier League’s record goalscorer wasn’t letting Gullit get away with his comments on the Rooney situation, quickly trolling his old boss with a post on Twitter.
“It didn’t work for you though Ruud! #droppingbignames,” Shearer said alongside a laughing face.
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