‘I struggled massively with alcohol’ – Wayne Rooney opens up on Manchester United career
Drinking problem: Manchester United great has opened up about his struggles with alcohol in a chat with former teammate Rio Ferdinand. Photo: Jean Catuffe/DPPI via AFP
Image: Jean Catuffe/DPPI via AFP
Manchester United great Wayne Rooney has admitted that he abused alcohol throughout his illustrious career.
In a professional career spanning 19 years, Rooney won everything there is at club level and retired as England’s record goalscorer before he was overtaken by Harry Kane.
Despite winning five Premier League titles while scoring more goals for Manchester United than anyone who has ever worn the jersey, Rooney struggled with alcohol abuse.
Speaking to his former teammate on Rio Ferdinand Presents, the soon-to-be 40-year-old admitted he would go to training after a big night of drinking.
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"I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and have a night out," Rooney told Ferdinand.
"It got to a point where I went too far, of course it did. That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol. Massively struggling, and I didn't think I could turn to anyone.
"I didn't really want to because I didn't want to put that burden on anyone."
Detailing the extent of his drinking, he said: “I remember going into training and putting eye drops in, chewing gum.
"I just drank for two days straight, came into training, and at the weekend I'd scored two goals, and then I'd go back and drink for two days straight again."
Fortunately for Rooney, his wife Coleen was there to ensure he didn’t go completely off the rails despite his well-documented scandals and problems with alcohol.
"If she weren’t there, I'd be dead,” he said. "I believe that… I've made mistakes in the past, which are well documented and whatever, but I'm a little bit different at times and she keeps me on that path and she's done it for 20-odd years."
After retiring from football in 2021, Rooney embarked on a management career that’s seen him take charge of teams like Derby County, DC United, Birmingham City, and Plymouth Argyle.
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