Wayne Rooney’s status as one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever goalscorers has never really been in dispute, with 253 goals in 559 appearances across 13 years at Old Trafford making him the club’s record scorer.
His England career carries similar weight, 120 caps and 53 goals that made him the country’s all-time leading scorer until Harry Kane eventually surpassed him, having captained the Three Lions and broken Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing record with a penalty against Switzerland in 2015.
Wayne Rooney has remained firmly in the public eye since retiring, moving into management before settling into life as one of British football’s most recognisable pundits.
A former England teammate from that same era has now put him at the centre of an unexpected row.
That teammate occupied the same period of international duty around 2010 and 2011, despite a far less decorated career, managing just nine caps before drifting out of the picture entirely.
Andy Carroll, now playing non-league football for Dagenham and Redbridge, has released an autobiography, Owning It, that has reignited an unlikely feud between the two former teammates.
Wayne Rooney threatens legal action
Rooney is furious at claims made in the book and has now threatened legal action unless the publisher retracts them, as reported by The Sun.
Carroll’s book accuses the United legend of inviting players to drink in his hotel room during England training camps, writing, “He’d be surrounded by cartons of fags, crates of lager and bottles of wine, and soon his room would be full of players.”
The 40-year-old added that “no one got smashed,” describing it instead as “just Wazza’s way of breaking the monotony with a couple of drinks.”
Rooney’s lawyers have since sent a strongly worded letter to the publishers, with an insider telling The Sun, “Wayne is livid. He’s not messing around.
“His legal team have sent a strongly worded letter to the publisher. He wants it retracted as it is completely untrue.”
The source added, “Wayne knows he’s no angel but this crossed the line. It’s a matter of principle.”
Away from the legal dispute, Rooney has plenty else occupying his time.
He’s reportedly in advanced talks to appear on the next series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, keen to impress his sons by taking on the Bushtucker Trials in Australia.
Coleen Rooney previously appeared on the show, finishing runner-up to McFly’s Danny Jones a couple of years ago.
Wayne is also set to launch a new visualised podcast on the BBC this autumn, titled Can You Beat Wayne Rooney, which will see him go head-to-head against well-known faces from across sport and entertainment.
Whether the legal threat over Carroll’s book progresses further remains to be seen, but for now it adds an unexpected new chapter to Rooney’s post-playing career, which continues to keep him firmly in the public eye.