Want-away Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is likely to provoke a world of pain from United fans if he leaves Old Trafford – especially for ‘noisy neighbours’ City.
Famously, the subject of 'The Trade', the greatest ice hockey player discovered he was to be sold by the Edmonton Oilers hours after winning the Stanley Cup in 1988. Canada came to a standstill in protest as Gretzky headed for the bright lights of Los Angeles. Source: PA
Denis Law
If Rooney does travel the three miles across Manchester to rivals City, he might do well to text United legend Denis Law for advice. The Scotsman - a Reds legend - scored a typically-cheeky back-heeled goal for City against United on the day the Old Trafford club were relegated from the old First Division in 1974. Law remains one of the most famous players in derby history.Source: PA
Johnny Damon
One of the beloved rag-tag bunch who brought the Boston Red Sox faithful a famine-ending World Series win in 2004, Damon bunked on to arch-rivals the Yankees the following year. He took out a full page ad in the Boston Globe bidding farewell to the Fenway crowd but they were ready to 'welcome' him back soon after.Source: PA
Larry Tompkins
A Cork legend having led the Rebels to two All-Ireland wins in '89 and '90, the Castlehaven clubman was famously born and reared in Kildare.Source: Inpho
Luis Figo
The Portuguese winger was adored by the socios when he lined out for Barcelona. Amazingly, he was sold to Real Madrid and Figo had to endure torrid nights on returning to the Camp Nou.
Mo Johnston
It's hard to overplay the effect the arrival of former Celtic striker Johnston at Ibrox had in 1989. The image of Rangers scarves burning outside Ibrox and, the insistence of supporters that they would hand back season tickets because Johnston was a Roman Catholic is a vivid one. He didn't enjoy a free ride from Celtic supporters either of course. Brave boy.
LeBron James
'I'm LeBron, baby' was one of Barack Obama's catchphrases in the high-pressure presidential campiagn in 2008 while the young Cleveland Cavaliers man summed up coolness, skill and integrity. Then... after the last NBA season the player hosted a one-hour ESPN special 'The Decision' in which he informed his hometown side and the rest of the world that he was off to Miami. He's no longer America's sweetheart.
Crossing the divide
WAYNE ROONEY LOOKS set to walk on United – and crossing the street to arch-rivals Manchester City is widely mooted as his preferred destination today.
He won’t be the first to provoke fans’ ire after a controversial move:
Wayne Gretzky
Denis Law
Johnny Damon
Larry Tompkins
Luis Figo
Mo Johnston
LeBron James
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Wayne's World