Leeds United coverage cut short thanks to Wayne Rooney obsession on talkSPORT

Tony Cascarino couldn’t wait to divert the conversation away from Leeds United and onto “Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth” ahead of Sunday’s matches.

Speaking on talkSPORT (29 December, 6:42am), Cascarino cut off pundit Sam Parkin’s assessment of the Whites’ match against Derby County at Pride Park, in order to talk about Oxford against Plymouth.

Cascarino branding Argyle as “Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth” suggests their increased airtime is purely due to the ex-England striker’s association with them, despite United currently being top of the table.

Parkin said: “(Leeds are) a powerful outfit, we know how good they’re going to be – (but) today’s a tough one. I’ve seen Derby at home a few times, and they can put teams really under pressure.

“You’d favour Leeds obviously – narrowly – but I wouldn’t be surprised if Derby give a really good account of themselves.”

Cascarino: “Sam… what to do make of – going down to the bottom end of the table now – Oxford taking on obviously Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth?

“Their away record, Plymouth, has been absolutely dreadful this season, and they’re still with him – he still feels he’s the man for the job at Plymouth.”

Leeds United happy to let Wayne Rooney feel the pressure

It’ll come as no shock to any Peacocks fan that goings-on at Elland Road are often the definitive news story when it comes to Championship clubs – regardless of whether thats on-field or off-field action.

However, the influx of recently-retired Premier League stars slowly making their way up the managerial ladder (or down in Rooney’s case) means that the clubs they’re employed by receive extra attention.

Waybe Rooney, Plymouth
Credit: Imago

The Whites, meanwhile, have no ambition to remain as a Championship club for much longer, currently sitting top of the tree and with plans for a huge, Premier League-dependent expansion of Elland Road.

As a result, United fans will be happy to not be the talking point as discussions over Rooney’s dismal record at Plymouth take centre stage, with his Argyle side having already been caned 3-0 at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke’s side head south to Home Park for their final match of the season on 3 May 2025, and if by some minor miracle Rooney is still in post by then, the Peacocks can certainly have the last laugh.

In other Leeds news, the Whites have been given a boost in their pursuit of one player in a key position with January looming.

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