In a full-page leader comment this morning, The Sun accused Trinity Mirror of a crude attempt to make commercial gain when Rooney came under fire from Liverpool and Everton fans after he gave his story to the paper, which 15 years ago falsely accused Liverpool fans of stealing from the dead during the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster in which 96 fans died.
The paper has long since apologised and in today's full-page 'Sun Says' it apologises again, saying that it is 15 years since The Sun committed the "most terrible mistake in its history" with its untrue allegations.
"We long ago apologised publicly to the victims' families, friends and to the city of Liverpool for our awful error. We gladly say sorry again today: fully, openly, honestly and without reservation," the paper said.
The paper says it knows why people in Liverpool might still hate The Sun, but it can not understand "the way some of Liverpool is turning its anger on one of the greatest footballing talents the city has ever seen. Wayne Rooney is one of Liverpool's finest sons".
It then lays the blame for the anger directed its way at the door of Trinity Mirror-owned papers in the city, the Liverpool Post and the Echo, which it says have been stirring up trouble.
"Who owns the Post and Echo? None other than Trinity Mirror. The same company that owns The Sun's rival, the Daily Mirror.
"The misery being inflicted on Wayne Rooney is a crude effort by them to make commercial gain."
The Sun said it did not believe the protests properly represent the opinions of the majority of men and women in Liverpool, some of whom have threatened to boo 18-year-old Rooney if he keeps playing for Everton.
The Liverpool Echo printed a story quoting John Glover, who lost his 20-year-old son in the 1989 FA Cup semi-final disaster. "This will make a lot of people hate him and I really do mean hate," Glover was quoted as saying.
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