Wayne Rooney Tears Into Alexander Isak for Forcing Move from Newcastle to Liverpool

Legendary Striker Offers Up Man Utd Advice as Transfer Saga Heats Up

The summer transfer window has already given us its fair share of drama — but few stories have lit the Premier League ablaze quite like the unfolding saga between Newcastle United, Alexander Isak, and Liverpool. And now, into the mix steps none other than Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United and England legend, who has not held back in his criticism of how the Swedish striker is handling his future.

Appearing as a pundit on Match of the Day, Rooney didn’t mince his words when asked about Alexander Isak’s refusal to train with Newcastle as he attempts to push through a move to Anfield. For Rooney, the issue isn’t the desire to test yourself at another club — he understands that feeling all too well. The issue, rather, is about professionalism, trust, and respect for the team that pays your wages.

What Happened Between Alexander Isak and Newcastle?

To understand Rooney’s frustration, you have to look at the backdrop of this story. Alexander Isak, signed by Newcastle in 2022 for a then-club-record £63 million from Real Sociedad, has been a revelation in the Premier League. His pace, intelligence, and ruthless finishing quickly made him a fan favourite on Tyneside. He scored 25 goals across all competitions last season, guiding the Magpies into Europe and cementing his place among the league’s elite forwards.

But as so often happens when a striker hits the kind of form Alexander Isak has, the giants come calling. Liverpool, in the midst of reshaping their attack for the post-Jürgen Klopp era, have been heavily linked with the Swede. Reports suggest personal terms are close, but Newcastle, understandably, don’t want to lose their star without securing a replacement.

And so, the standoff has begun. Alexander Isak, determined to force the issue, has reportedly refused to train with Eddie Howe’s side. For Newcastle, it’s a headache at the worst possible time. For Liverpool, it’s an opportunity. For Wayne Rooney, though, it’s a sign of everything that’s wrong with how modern players sometimes handle these situations.

Wayne Rooney Tears Into Alexander Isak

Rooney, speaking with the authority of someone who’s been in similar shoes, didn’t hold back.

“The fact that he’s refusing to come in and train, it’s going to be very difficult for him to come back in,” Rooney said. “There’s a trust element there; he’s going about it the wrong way. Maybe he’s getting advised wrongly.”

It wasn’t just about Newcastle, though. Rooney also turned the spotlight onto Liverpool, the club supposedly on the verge of signing Alexander Isak.

“For the team who’s trying to sign him, in this case it looks like Liverpool, you have to wonder, is this the sort of player you want, who’s going to desert his team-mates and a huge football club? It’s a good opportunity, but it has to be done in the right way.”

The words are sharp, but they’re not just criticism for the sake of it. They’re a warning, born from experience.

Rooney’s Own Manchester United Transfer Drama

The parallels here are fascinating. Rooney himself famously handed in a transfer request at Manchester United in the 2010-11 season after a falling-out with Sir Alex Ferguson. He felt the club wasn’t showing enough ambition in the transfer market and questioned whether United could still compete at the very top.

For a time, it looked like he might leave. Chelsea were circling. Fans were furious. The trust between Rooney and United seemed broken. But then came the U-turn. A new contract, Ferguson’s persuasive powers, and Rooney’s eventual decision to stay changed the course of both his career and the club’s history.

“I’ve been there myself when I asked Manchester United to leave,” Rooney admitted. “But there’s a right way to do it and a wrong way. And I think Alexander Isak is getting it wrong.”

Rooney’s point isn’t that wanting to move is a crime — it’s that refusing to play, refusing to train, crosses a line. For the fans who chant your name and the teammates who depend on you, it feels like betrayal. And once that trust is gone, it’s incredibly difficult to win back.

Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC – Premier League

The Bigger Picture for Newcastle and Liverpool

For Newcastle, this situation is a nightmare. Eddie Howe’s project has been built carefully, methodically, on trust and hard work. Losing Alexander Isak is one thing; losing him in a cloud of bitterness and resentment is quite another. If he stays, will the fans forgive him? Will his teammates welcome him back with open arms?

Liverpool, meanwhile, must tread carefully. There’s no denying Alexander Isak would be a phenomenal addition to their attack — quick, clinical, and still only 24 years old. But Rooney’s question lingers: do you want to sign a player who forces his way out of one club by refusing to show up? What message does that send about his professionalism when things don’t go his way?

The Role of Agents and Advisors

Rooney hinted at another factor: the influence of advisors. “Maybe he’s getting advised wrongly,” he said. It’s a familiar refrain in modern football, where players are often caught between the demands of agents, clubs, and personal ambition.

Agents, of course, have a duty to maximise their client’s career. But too often, their methods — leaks to the press, engineered standoffs, and ultimatums — leave the player looking like the villain. For Alexander Isak, a player with a reputation as humble and hard-working, this saga threatens to tarnish an image he’s spent years building.

Alexander-Isak

What Happens Next for Alexander Isak?

As things stand, Alexander Isak remains a Newcastle player. Liverpool’s interest is real, but until the Magpies secure a replacement, Eddie Howe is unlikely to sanction a sale. With the two sides due to meet in the Premier League in just days’ time, the tension could not be higher.

If Isak does end up on the pitch, the reception from Newcastle fans will be fascinating. Will they boo him for downing tools, or cheer him as their No. 9 regardless of the transfer noise? If he doesn’t play, the speculation will only intensify.

What’s certain is that, play or not, Isak will be the centre of attention.

Final Thoughts: Rooney’s Advice Rings True

Wayne Rooney tearing into Alexander Isak might make headlines for its bluntness, but beneath the soundbites is a core of truth. Football is about more than transfers, more than ambition, more than the next big move. It’s about trust — with your manager, your teammates, and the supporters who fill the stands every week.

Rooney knows the weight of a transfer saga better than most. He lived it, he survived it, and he even thrived after it. His message to Alexander Isak is simple: ambition is fine, but there’s a right way to go about it.

For Newcastle, the priority is stability. For Liverpool, the question is character. For Isak, the choice is simple but difficult: does he want to be remembered as the striker who lit up St James’ Park, or as the player who walked away when his club needed him most?

The ball, quite literally and figuratively, is in his court.