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REVEALED: Wayne Rooney told Alex Ferguson to sign Arsenal star Mesut Ozil
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney instructed Sir Alex Ferguson to sign Arsenal star man Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid in 2010, it has been revealed.
In Ferguson's book, My Autobiography, the retired Scot discusses Rooney's first attempt to leave the club three years ago.
Rooney was said to be worried about United's ambitions and during a frank discussion between the pair told his manager he "should have pursued" Ozil when he left Werder Bremen for Real in August 2010.
Ozil joined Arsenal on deadline day this summer from the Spanish giants for a club-record £42.5million, with the Gunners currently top of the Premier League.
"Wayne said that we should have pursued Mesut Ozil, who had joined Real Madrid from Werder Bremen," said Ferguson.
Ferguson replied telling Rooney that it was not his decision who United should target as signings and that his job was to perform on the pitch.
Rooney went on to become one of the highest-paid players in the country when he made a dramatic U-turn to sign a new contract until the summer of 2015.