Rio Ferdinand believes Wayne Rooney become a calmer player since the days when he was a "very angry young man."
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The 28-year-old striker has been given the captaincy of both Manchester United and England by managers Louis van Gaal and Roy Hodgson respectively.
But 35-year-old Ferdinand -- who was a United teammate of the Merseysider for 10 years before his summer move to QPR -- remembers the days when the striker had a short temper for which he was often mocked.
Writing in his autobiography #2sides, which is being serialised in The Sun, he said: "He seems to fly into a rage about the smallest thing and went through mobile phones like they were sweets. He'd smash phones up in frustration, throwing them on the concrete. Other players used to laugh about it."
But former England captain Ferdinand believes Rooney is a changed man, adding: "I don't know what happened but he did calm down."
Rooney has scored two goals in his first four league games of the season and is the third highest goalscorer in United's history, but Ferdinand focused on his ability to create goals.
He added: "He's still one of the top assist makers in the league... I think under Louis van Gaal we will see the return of the Rooney who terrorises opponents."
Rooney netted one and set up another for United on Sunday as they strolled to a 4-0 victory -- their first win of the season -- against QPR at Old Trafford.