WAYNE ROONEY has been making headlines throughout his football career.

But a Manchester United goalkeeper claims he was even wilder as a child before his big break – and was once sent off for fighting.

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Now 38, Rooney came through Everton’s youth ranks and burst onto the scene aged 16 with his dramatic winner against Arsenal in 2002.

However, he had already caused a stir in academy football years before.

Tom Heaton started at United while Rooney broke records at Everton.

And the goalkeeper, who is back at Old Trafford towards the end of his career after spells with Cardiff, Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa, has vivid memories of meeting the young striker.

Heaton, also 38, told ManUtd.com: “I played against him several times when he was at Everton.”

“We were obviously the same age and he was even wilder when he was younger, I think!”

“I can remember now, we were playing away, I think we were under 14 or under 15, and he and our centre-back were fighting on the pitch – and I literally mean fighting!

“They both got red cards, so I kind of knew him back then.

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“He was obviously an incredible player with incredible skills, but he also had this fiery temperament, so yeah, (I have) some really interesting memories of him.”

Rooney has never lacked confidence or aggressiveness on the football pitch.

In 2004, he received a £27 million transfer to Manchester United and became the club’s record goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances.

The striker and former captain won twelve major awards with the Red Devils, including five Premier League and Champions League titles.

But his no-nonsense approach often brought him into conflict with referees, rivals and even his own boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

During his playing days, Rooney received eight red cards, most notably in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final against Portugal.

And as a manager, he continues to feel the wrath of the officials.

The former Derby, DC United and Birmingham head coach is now in charge at Plymouth.

And just last weekend he received his first red card as a gaffer.

Rooney was furious that Blackburn’s late equalizer stood and his protesting comments to the referees led to him being sent off.

However, the former England captain had the last laugh as his Plymouth side scored the winner in the 97th minute.

And Rooney revealed he went crazy out of sight in incredible scenes.

He told talkSPORT: “Me and the club secretary in the tunnel were celebrating, I broke his glasses while celebrating.”

“So the win was a deserved win, but sometimes it boils over a little bit and that’s the nature of football.”

He added: “It was my first time as a manager (I was sent off).

“As a manager or head coach I think decisions are made on the pitch and in hindsight it was a free kick so the goal shouldn’t have been awarded.”

“There’s no video assistant in the championship so the officials missed it and that’s where the emotions come up and you know, I’m a passionate person, we want to win.”

“We worked extremely hard to win the game and to have that undone by what I thought was a mistake by the referees was really hard for me.”

“I reacted in a way I shouldn’t have and the red card was deserved.”

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