Wayne Rooney has weighed in on the fallout from Sunderland’s opening-day defeat at Ipswich Town, describing certain post-match remarks as “strange” while drawing a sharp contrast with the measured response delivered by Black Cats captain Granit Xhaka.
The former Manchester United and England striker did not hold back when asked about the reaction to the 1-2 loss at Portman Road, where a late Jack Clarke winner condemned Régis Le Bris’ side to a disappointing start. While some voices around the game were seen as overly dramatic or self-focused, Rooney pointed to Xhaka’s comments as an example of the leadership and perspective required after a difficult result.
“I’ve seen a few things said after that game and some of it felt strange,” Rooney said. “You lose a match, especially on the opening weekend, and suddenly the narrative goes in different directions. What I respect is when a senior player stands up and keeps things real. That’s what Xhaka did.”
Xhaka’s post-match assessment has been widely praised among Sunderland supporters for its honesty and calmness. Rather than looking for excuses or turning the spotlight on individuals, the Switzerland international kept his message clear and collective.
“Not our day, not our result, but the season has only just begun,” Xhaka stated in the hours after the final whistle. He followed it with a direct promise to the fans: “We will come back stronger and give you something to believe in again.”
Those words have resonated strongly on Wearside. In a result defined by two costly defensive errors and a late sucker-punch, Xhaka refused to let the disappointment spiral into negativity. Rooney picked up on exactly that quality.
“That’s the difference,” Rooney continued. “Some players come out and the comments feel off — a bit strange, a bit about themselves or about things that don’t help the group. Xhaka kept it simple. He owned the result, he looked forward, and he spoke to the supporters like a captain should. That’s leadership.”
The defeat itself was a bitter one for Sunderland. Ipswich took the lead through Emersonn, Nilson Angulo equalised with a superb free-kick before half-time, and Clarke’s 90th-minute strike settled the contest. Xhaka played the full match and was generally reliable in possession, but the team as a whole were punished for lapses in concentration at key moments.
Rooney, who has experienced both the highs and the brutal lows of the Premier League as a player and manager, used the moment to underline what he believes separates good leaders from the rest.
“I’ve been in dressing rooms after bad results,” he said. “The best captains don’t make it about the referee, or the pitch, or someone else’s mistake. They take it, they look the fans in the eye, and they say we’ll be better. Xhaka did that. Some of the other noise around the game felt strange in comparison.”
Sunderland fans have largely agreed with the assessment. Many took to social media to praise Xhaka’s response, describing it as exactly the kind of steadying presence the club needs after a painful opening fixture. In contrast, the more dramatic or self-referential comments that circulated in the aftermath drew criticism for missing the point.
“Xhaka gets it,” one supporter wrote. “He didn’t panic, he didn’t point fingers, and he didn’t make it about himself. That’s why he’s our captain.”
The Swiss midfielder’s influence at the Stadium of Light has grown steadily since his arrival. Known for his intensity, tactical intelligence and willingness to speak plainly, he has become a central figure both on and off the pitch. His latest comments reinforce that reputation at a moment when the squad needed composure rather than drama.
Rooney’s intervention has added another layer to the conversation. As a high-profile voice with deep experience of English football’s demands, his decision to highlight Xhaka’s response while labelling other remarks as “strange” has given the captain’s words even greater weight.
For Régis Le Bris and his players, the focus now shifts to the next fixtures and the need to respond on the pitch. The opening-day defeat was a reminder of how quickly the Premier League can punish mistakes. Xhaka’s message, backed publicly by Rooney, has at least provided a clear tone for the recovery.
“Not our day, not our result, but the season has only just begun.”
Those words from the Sunderland captain have already become a reference point for supporters. Wayne Rooney’s decision to contrast them with what he called “strange” comments elsewhere has only amplified their impact.
In the days after a frustrating loss, leadership often reveals itself in the quietest statements. Granit Xhaka supplied one. Rooney made sure people noticed.
