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'I put myself in his shoes. Would I have done the same? No question': Wayne Rooney says Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts to get him sent off at 2006 World Cup and infamous 'wink' brought pair closer together and inspired Man United glory

Wayne Rooney says Cristiano Ronaldo's infamous 'wink' after he was sent off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final brought the pair closer together and inspired years of Manchester United glory.

The two Old Trafford team-mates were on opposite sides as England played Portugal in the last eight of the tournament in Germany.

Rooney was sent off for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho's foot after a tangle with the Chelsea defender on the hour mark.

Wayne Rooney was sent off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final for stamping on the foot of Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho during the second-half

Wayne Rooney was sent off in the 2006 World Cup quarter-final for stamping on the foot of Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho during the second-half

Rooney's Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo (No 17) was one of the Portugal players who protested to referee Horacio Elizondo for a red card
Rooney shoved Ronaldo as Carvalho lies on the floor just before he is shown the red card

But television cameras focused on Ronaldo protesting to referee Horacio Elizondo to give Rooney his marching orders and his cheeky wink when the red card was brandished.