""I really believe a big part of our success was playing on the PSP," Rooney said. "It got us communicating more. "We used to play it on the plane, on the team bus," he explained. "It would be me, Rio [Ferdinand], Michael Carrick, John O'Shea, Wes Brown. You have to talk, you have to tactically be right, go and revive people when they get killed, and it was a massive part of our success. Ask any of those players it was brilliant.""
""Michael Carrick was a little sneaky, calm one. You'd be lying down hiding and suddenly hear a grenade bounce nearby he'd thrown it," he said. "I was just all in, frontline of the trenches, straight in there.""
The Manchester United squad frequently played SOCOM on PlayStation Portable during flights and bus journeys, often in five-versus-five matches that turned travel time into tactical practice. Those gaming sessions required constant communication, coordinated tactics, and reviving teammates, which reinforced on-field teamwork and decision-making. Player in-game styles often reflected pitch personalities, with some adopting patient, sneaky roles while others rushed forward aggressively. The gaming-based bonds complemented managerial leadership and squad quality, contributing to sustained dominance and title-winning runs. The informal, competitive environment produced stronger rapport and practical communication skills that translated into collective performance.
Read at www.90min.com
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