[4] Arsène Wenger, who became Arsenal manager four years after Rocastle left the club, has described him as "a modern player, because the revolution of the game has gone on to more technique, and more skill" and as having an "exceptional dimension as a footballer".

During the match Rocastle was sent off for retaliating to a tackle by United midfielder Norman Whiteside, a move which caused a huge scuffle between several of the opposing players.

[16] Due to his feats during this season, Rocastle was bestowed with the honour of being named in the 1986–87 PFA Team of the Year and as well won the 1987 Barclays Young Eagle award.

Rocastle's memorable solo strike against Middlesbrough 19 November 1988 and a lob from 30 yards against Aston Villa 31 December 1988 stood out during the title winning season.

[19] The success was sealed when they beat Liverpool 2–0 in the final game of the season at Anfield, snatching the title from the hosts on goals scored.

When he returned after two months absence at Boxing Day against Derby County, he broke his toe in the first minute of the game, and a new operation of his knee was also required.

This view stemmed from the way in which the midfielder was dealt with by manager George Graham, given his fine performances and return to fitness during 1991–92, his general popularity and the player's stated opposition to the deal.

However, Strachan would go on to spend nearly three more years at Elland Road and remained a regular first team player for two more seasons, by which time Rocastle had left the West Yorkshire club.

[30] Many Leeds fans would have liked to see the manager Wilkinson place more faith in Rocastle, because he was a popular figure, with glimpses of his outstanding technical ability shining through in spite of repeated injury problems.

[35] Late in December 1993, he moved to Maine Road as replacement for David White, who in turn had joined Leeds earlier that month.

But Rocastle still had what it took to thrill the City fans and, against Ipswich Town 5 February 1994, he produced one moment of Brazilian skill that set up a goal for Carl Griffiths and all but lifted the roof off Maine Road.

Rocastle scored the winning goal against Swindon Town 26 February 1994, and his second 5 March against Queens Park Rangers in a 1–1 draw at Loftus Road.

[40][41] Though his career hadn't flourished since leaving his beloved Gunners, Rocastle's time with the Blues proved that, on his day, he was still one of the best English midfielders of his generation.

He only played 23 games for City and it's amazing he made the impact he did given that he was only with the club for eight months, but he had and there was a great deal of disappointment when he was allowed to join Chelsea a few weeks before the 1994/95 season.

[42][43] By the time Rocastle arrived at Chelsea from Man City in August 1994 for £1.25 million, his knee problem was common knowledge in the game.

His performance in midfield on a memorable night 14 March 1995, when a 1–0 deficit against Club Brugge KV was overturned to send Chelsea through to the final-four, was probably his finest hour for them, even though he was inevitably substituted with thirty minutes to go.

His experience proved invaluable throughout a European Cup-Winners Cup run which ended at the Semi-Final stage, going out to eventual winners Real Zaragoza by a single goal on aggregate.

Rocastle impressed the Norwich fans with his intelligent passing and commitment and Mike Walker extended his loan spell for a second month.

[55] Rocastle's final appearance for Hull City, a 2–1 defeat at home to Chester on Boxing Day 1997, also proved to be his last in English football.

Perhaps the best from his Malaysia stint was a long-range effort in a 4–1 home win against Perak, at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, as Rocastle volleyed the ball in from 50 metres.

Whilst playing for the Young Lions, he earned a runners-up medal in the 1988 Toulon Tournament and got to the UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finals of the same year.

[60][21] In February 2001, Rocastle announced that he was suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer which attacks the immune system, and had been diagnosed the previous October.

[63] In August 2006, Arsenal opened the David Rocastle indoor centre at the club's academy, located at Hale End in Walthamstow, London.

[63] Hull City paid tribute to Rocastle by erecting a sign in his honour at the KC Stadium for their league match against Arsenal in May 2015.