How Manchester United Fans Credit SOCOM and PSP for Club’s Success

Wayne Rooney Highlights Gaming’s Influence on Manchester United’s Success

As the release date of EA Sports FC 26 approaches, former professional footballer Wayne Rooney shared intriguing insights during his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show. In this episode, Rooney discussed his experiences with EA’s football franchise, revealing how gaming played a surprising role in the success of his tenure at Manchester United.

The Impact of SOCOM on Team Dynamics

According to a report by VGC, Rooney attributes part of the team’s achievements during his era to the gaming sessions he and his teammates enjoyed. He fondly recalled playing SOCOM on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), highlighting that these gaming experiences fostered communication and camaraderie among players while traveling.

Gaming Milestones at Manchester United

During Rooney’s time at Manchester United, from 2004 to 2017, the club celebrated notable successes including:

5 Premier League titles
1 UEFA Champions League title
1 UEFA Europa League title
1 FA Cup
4 Community Shields
3 League Cups

Rooney’s Personal Gaming Journey

In an engaging discussion on his podcast, Rooney took a trip down memory lane as he talked about his gaming preferences. When asked about his gaming history, he admitted to once being a fervent player of both FIFA and Call of Duty, although he has played less frequently in recent years, citing his enjoyment of playing with his children and engaging with YouTubers.

When considering his gaming preferences beyond FIFA, Rooney’s excitement was palpable when he said,

“Do you know what we used to play, not FIFA. True story, this, at Man United, I really believe a big part of our success was playing the PSP. Honestly, it got us communicating more; we used to play on the plane, on the team bus. We’d play 5v5 on a game called SOCOM on the PSP, army game. You have to talk, you have to tactically be right, go revive people when they got killed. It was a massive part of our success I believe. You can ask any of the players who played at the same time, it was brilliant.”

The Social Power of Gaming

This reflection not only underscores the social influence of video games but also exemplifies the significant impact games like SOCOM can have on building teamwork and relationships. Such anecdotes highlight how video games can transcend entertainment and actively shape real-world interactions.

For many PlayStation enthusiasts and Manchester United fans, Rooney’s insights spark a desire to see the SOCOM series make a comeback, potentially reviving the social gaming experiences that once contributed to the club’s triumphs.