Wayne Rooney admits to headbutting Manchester United legend's son to 'make a name' for himself

"I remember playing against Alex Bruce when I was younger and purposely wanted to boot him, because of his dad," admitted Rooney.

"It's a way to make a name for yourself. And I did - I booted him, I butted him once.

"We're good friends, me and Alex, but had a lot of run-ins on the pitch... purely because of Steve."

A former United youth player, Bruce would go on to play for the likes of Birmingham City, Ipswich, Leeds United and Hull City.

Earlier this year, he joined the coaching staff at West Brom after his father was appointed manager.

Rooney, meanwhile, would spend the majority of his career at Manchester United, becoming the club's all-time record goalscorer and winning numerous trophies at Old Trafford – including five Premier League titles and the Champions League once.

He has since moved into management and was appointed head coach of one of his other former clubs, DC United, in July.

Rooney has found things difficult since taking charge of the MLS side, losing six of his 11 games at the helm.

But he is adamant he has made the right move in taking a job abroad, rather than waiting for another opportunity in English football following his departure from Derby County.

"I'm rebuilding a club, rebuilding a squad and a big attraction is working with different nationalities, not just of players but staff," added Rooney.

"My ambition one day is to manage at the top and that (a multinational environment) is what you get at top clubs. I looked and thought it's a great chance to experience it.

"It's a chance to take myself out of my comfort zone and develop as a coach. I could have sat at home and waited — managers get sacked, normally, around this time and jobs would have come up, but I think in England we have the best league in the world and a great structure below it and we're a bit stubborn.

"Not enough managers take that risk and challenge themselves by going abroad. Too many just wait to see what comes up in England."