Wayne reflects on the best midfielders he ever played with - from Steven Gerrard’s dominance and how he would have wanted him at Manchester United, David Beckham's quiet leadership and Lampard’s timing in the box.

Wayne looks at Roy Keane’s authority, Michael Carrick’s understated control and why Scholes’ football brain set him apart. There’s high praise too for Ji-Sung Park, the relentless engine who stopped Andrea Pirlo and how players like Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves played key roles at Manchester United.

And which opposition midfielder stands out to Wayne? And what is his ultimate midfield line up?

Wayne reflects on Max Dowman’s breakthrough moment for Arsenal and explains why those first moments can stay with a player forever. He also discusses how young players should be supported, balancing the hype around them with the need to protect their development based off his own experiences at 16.

Wayne also addresses the discussion around Anthony Gordon's post-match comments after Chelsea and the role sports science now plays in team selection, explaining how different the approach would have been earlier in his career under Sir Alex Ferguson.

They talk about Bruno Fernandes’ influence and consistency during a difficult period for Manchester United and there's also praise for Liverpool youngster Rio Ngumoha, whose direct style and willingness to run at defenders has caught Wayne’s attention.

And what does Wayne think about Arsenal’s position in the title race? And why does he believe the race is not completely settled yet?

Wayne Rooney sits down with Michael Owen to look back on two of the most explosive teenage breakthroughs English football has ever seen. At the heart of the conversation is the big debate: who really made the bigger impact at 18? They also discuss whether modern football still allows teenage stars to emerge in the same way, and how today’s forwards, from Erling Haaland to Hugo Ekitike are developing and whether the Frenchman can become truly world class.. Michael and Wayne compare themselves to the young players coming through today, and whether Liverpool on form are the best team in the Premiership and should Michael Carrick get the Manchester United job permanently. They reflect on the pressure of playing for England, the dressing rooms they walked into as teenagers, and the expectations that followed them throughout their careers, from Anfield and Old Trafford to major tournaments with the national team. It’s a frank and entertaining look at two remarkable careers, and the teenage moments that defined them.

Wayne looks back on a classic FA Cup weekend, beginning with Wrexham’s thrilling tie with Chelsea - a game he says was the most he has enjoyed since retiring from playing. He also reflects on the atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground, the controversial red card that changed the match and why he believes VAR is removing emotion from the game.

The team also discuss the weekend's big cup upsets, with Wayne questioning why so many teams still rest players in a competition he believes should always be taken seriously. He explains why cup runs matter so much to supporters and why the FA Cup remains one of football’s greatest competitions.

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Wayne sits down with his former teammate Franny Jeffers to retrace a career that began with a boyhood Everton dream. Franny recalls joining the club at 11, the Christmas night call from Howard Kendall that led to his debut at 16, and the pride of representing his boyhood team, inspiring a young Wayne watching from Croxteth.

They revisit their England call-ups, sharing the pitch together under Sven, before turning to the Arsenal move that changed everything - a deal confirmed while Franny was in a nightclub in Magaluf! He reflects on walking into a dressing room with Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, realising “there’s levels to football”, and the struggle for rhythm that followed.

In one of the most honest moments, Franny admits leaving Everton may have “killed” his career, as he and Wayne discuss belief, loyalty and the fine margins that define the game.

Wayne takes us on a trip through the most memorable European away nights from his career. He revisits the 2007 Champions League semi-final at the San Siro, remembering the performance from one AC Milan superstar that he still calls the best he’s ever played against. He explains why Rangers was the most hostile ground and how it got a bit personal between him and the Ibrox crowd. Wayne also recalls a surreal post-match encounter in a Chinese restaurant with Diego Maradona after playing Real Madrid and the souvenir he walked with and shares why Celtic Park was special for him, even in defeat, and how Sir Alex Ferguson gave him both barrels after the game. And what was Wayne's favourite European night? A match that he says he should never have played in, but saw Manchester United give one of their biggest rivals a football lesson. You can watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube, iPlayer, as well as listen on BBC Sounds.

Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Tottenham can still be regarded as part of the Premier League’s traditional “big six” following their defeat in the North London derby.

Wayne, Kelly Somers & Kae Kurd reflect on Spurs’ current position with Wayne suggesting their league standing reflects the level of their current squad. Does he believe Tottenham have just about enough to avoid relegation?

In terms of Arsenal, they debate who should be starting in the number 10 role - Eberechi Eze or Martin Ødegaard? And is Declan Rice thinking about winning too much?

Looking ahead to England, Wayne mentions how several established internationals have experienced mixed club campaigns this season, while emerging players, like Morgan Rogers and Nico O'Reilly, have strengthened their cases in recent weeks.

He also lifts the lid on his work as a Match of the Day pundit, describing the programme as the most demanding broadcast role he's undertaken and how he wants to continue to improve.

We have an in-depth Manchester City special for this episode and Wayne, Kelly and Kae are joined by former City midfielder Michael Brown and podcaster David Mooney. They assess how City’s season has unfolded so far and they discuss whether they will catch Arsenal in the Premier League title race.

There’s a major focus on the future of Pep Guardiola: will this be his final season in Manchester? How much might his decision hinge on whether City win silverware? And why does Wayne want him to stay?

They tackle the big off-field question: how the charges for allegedly breaching Premier League financial rules - strongly denied by Manchester City - could influence Guardiola’s thinking, and whether a guilty verdict could make his departure more likely. Wayne reveals how he would feel if he were retrospectively awarded a Premier League winners’ medal depending on the outcome of the case.

They also look at why Phil Foden’s form has dipped. Is he a victim of tactical evolution, squad rotation, or both?

You can watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube, iPlayer, as well as listen on BBC Sounds.

Wayne, Kelly and Kae welcome former Premier League referee Graham Scott to discuss modern officiating. They break down the controversial decisions from the Aston Villa v Newcastle FA Cup tie, with Graham explaining why it’s unfair to say referees are hiding behind VAR or petrified to make big calls without it. He reveals whether officials know at half-time if they’ve made a mistake, how errors affect them mentally, and why early VAR days carried a stigma when decisions were overturned.

Wayne shares his concern that football’s emotion is being drained by technology, and the panel debate whether Premier League referees should drop into the Championship - where there’s no VAR - to stay sharp.

Graham recalls the time Rooney confronted him after a heavy challenge in a game against Tottenham, while Wayne lifts the lid on how Sir Alex Ferguson encouraged Manchester United players to pressure refs, but punished them if they got booked.

Wayne also gives his verdict on Thomas Tuchel extending his tenure as England head coach: why it’s a smart move by the FA and what it could mean for the squad going forward.

You can watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube, iPlayer, as well as listen on BBC Sounds.

It’s a proper family affair on this week’s The Wayne Rooney Show as Wayne is joined by his brother, Macclesfield manager John Rooney, and his assistant, the former Everton striker Francis Jeffers. The episode starts where it all began: Croxteth. The trio reminisce about growing up together, with Francis recalling seeing a young Wayne up to mischief, long before the Premier League spotlight arrived. They share stories from their teenage years, including nights in their local pub, and the legendary moment one of the regulars started diving around the bar wearing an actual Peter Schmeichel shirt Wayne had handed over after an Everton match. Wayne opens up on how much he looked up to Francis when he burst into Everton’s first team as a teenager. He also reveals that Francis was the inspiration behind his famous “Once A Blue, Always A Blue” message after scoring in the FA Youth Cup Final. The focus then shifts to the present day and Macclesfield’s remarkable FA Cup run. John and Francis look ahead to their huge 4th round tie with Premier League Brentford, discussing the mood in the camp and whether they believe another upset is on the cards. The pair also relive their stunning 3rd round win over Crystal Palace, with Francis revealing that a half-time row between Palace’s manager and captain convinced him the upset was on. Wayne adds his own perspective, explaining just how easy it can be for Premier League sides to get caught cold in these fixtures. You can watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sport YouTube, iPlayer, as well as listen on BBC Sounds