Hearing Wayne Rooney labelled as "fat" or his conditioning being questioned is nothing particularly new. Even at the start of this season Paul Parker, who won a League title with Manchester United, made headlines by calling the Red Devils captain "overweight and slow". A couple of years ago, former United fitness coach Mick Clegg said he believed Rooney could have matched Cristiano Ronaldo in his performance level had he replicated the Portuguese's dedication to the gym.
Rooney has spoken himself of how hard he has to work in order to keep weight off, admitting that he gains weight "quite easily" but insisting that he works tirelessly in order to function at his maximum performance level.
Comments from figures like Parker or Clegg can be brushed aside easily by Rooney. They will have no impact on Rooney's daily existence as a footballer; they are outside his 'circle'.
But Jose Mourinho is not.
A new book by journalist Rob Beasley about Mourinho has been creating a bit of a stir around the Premier League in recent days, with Beasley claiming that Mourinho had promised to "break" Arsene Wenger's "face" due to criticisms the Arsenal manager made of Chelsea (who Mourinho then managed) selling Juan Mata to Manchester United.
Wenger remained tight-lipped when asked about the story by journalists, and now Rooney could be forced to answer awkward questions about the man who currently manages him.
Beasley writes that when Mourinho was managing Chelsea he came over to Beasley and his son and opened with a quite remarkable question, referring to Rooney:
Jose's opening line was a corker: 'What do you think of us trying to sign the Fat Boy?'
It seems incredible that Mourinho would be this relaxed around a journalist, and if he was he must certainly regret it now. It could be slightly awkward if himself and Rooney end up sitting beside each other in the Manchester United canteen - particularly if Rooney is having dessert.
[Mirror]
