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Wayne Rooney claims his 2006 World Cup spat with Cristiano Ronaldo paved the way for Manchester United's Premier League title triumph the following year.

England star Rooney saw red for a stamp on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final of the tournament in Germany.

His United team-mate Ronaldo came under fire after attempting to influence the referee to get Rooney red carded, with the Portuguese superstar caught on camera winking at his bench as the Three Lions ace made his way down the tunnel.

However, Rooney insists he doesn't blame Ronaldo for his actions, and admits he would've done the same thing.

(Image: AFP)

He said: "Would I be in the ref's face to make sure he got sent off? If he deserved the red, if it would help us win - yes, no question. I'd do it tomorrow.

"I thought: 'Actually, I tried to get him booked in the first half for diving.' And the wink thing, I didn't see anything in that at all. It was nothing.

"I went over to him afterwards in the tunnel. I felt it was important to speak to him while it was still fresh and to do it face to face. He gave me a look as if to say sorry but by then I had my United head on.

(Image: PA)

"I said I've no issues with you. Enjoy your tournament and good luck. I'll see you in a few weeks — and let's go try and win the league."

Rooney insists there was no bad feeling between the pair when they returned for pre-season training, and they hit the ground running as United went on to win the title.

He added in his Sunday Times column : "In the first game of the new season we beat Fulham 5-1. I scored two and set him up for one and that calmed everything down.

(Image: Getty Images)

"In the dressing room we were always really close. It was always the two of us doing pranks on the manager or other players. And what had happened brought us closer together on the pitch.

"The next three years were our best as a partnership and brought three titles and the Champions League. My red card in Gelsenkirchen was the starting point."