WAYNE ROONEY TAKES ON A NEW CHALLENGE — MAN UTD ICON TO FACE A DIFFERENT FAMOUS OPPONENT EVERY WEEK

Wayne Rooney is stepping into a new role on the BBC — and this time, the Manchester United icon will be the one defending his reputation.

The former England captain is set to front a new visualised podcast, Can You Beat Wayne Rooney?, which will see him take on a different famous opponent every week in a test of football trivia.

Comedian Alex Brooker will host the series, which will be available on BBC Sport’s YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer.

The concept is simple: each guest arrives convinced they can outsmart Rooney. But every question will also unlock a story from his extraordinary career, taking viewers behind the scenes of dressing rooms, title races, international tournaments and some of football’s biggest moments.

The BBC said the series will revisit famous goals, legendary teammates and career-defining matches while allowing viewers to see Rooney’s competitive side as he attempts to fend off a fresh challenger each week.

And that competitive streak is something Rooney has no intention of hiding.

‘I DON’T LIKE LOSING’

Rooney explained that his love of competition stretches far beyond football, from paddle and golf to the now-famous rowing challenge involving Erling Haaland.

“Anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive,” Rooney said, recalling how Haaland called him out after Norway beat Brazil 2-1 at the World Cup, fulfilling the conditions of a previous challenge Rooney had made.

“When Erling called me out to honour my challenge after Norway beat Brazil, there was no way I was backing out. That’s probably why I know I’m going to enjoy this series so much.”

The new format has been designed to bring that side of Rooney’s personality to the forefront.

“We’ve evolved the podcast to lean into that competitive side of my personality, because I know that’s something the people love to see,” he said.

“Every guest will turn up thinking they can beat me and, honestly, I don’t like losing.”

FROM DRESSING ROOMS TO THE QUIZ CHAIR

Rooney has already had a recent BBC show, The Rooney Show, with the final episode airing on July 17.

The new project follows his decision to embrace television and punditry after a difficult period in management.

He has not managed a club since leaving Plymouth Argyle in 2024, following a short seven-month spell that came after his nightmare 83-day tenure as Birmingham City manager.

Away from the BBC, Rooney has also opened the doors of his home to Disney cameras for the fly-on-the-wall documentary The Real Rooneys.

Now, however, the focus is firmly back on football — and on whether anyone can actually beat him.

“A single question can take you straight back to a dressing room, a match or a moment you haven’t thought about in years,” Rooney said.

“We’ve got some great guests lined up, plenty of laughs and some fantastic football conversations.”

With a new challenger arriving every week, Rooney will have plenty of chances to prove that his football knowledge is still as sharp as his competitive edge.