Wayne Rooney claims he quit international football to be better prepared for Everton games... in an interview broadcast days after his arrest for drink driving

  • Wayne Rooney claims he quit England to be ready for more games at Everton
  • England's all time record scorer rejected a call-up for the September qualifiers
  • During the break, Rooney was arrested for drink driving after a night out

Wayne Rooney claims he decided to retire from international football to be ready for the increased number of games he expects at Everton - although his recent behaviour at an Alderley Edge bar may suggest otherwise.

Rooney, England's all time record goalscorer, decided to quit the international scene after rejecting a call up for England's qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia. 

While his former team mates were away, however, Rooney was arrested for drink driving after a night out, as he gave a woman he had met at the bar a lift home.

Wayne Rooney claims he quit England to be ready for increased number of games  at Everton

Wayne Rooney claims he quit England to be ready for increased number of games at Everton

Rooney, England's all time record goalscorer, rejected a call-up for the September qualifiers

Rooney, England's all time record goalscorer, rejected a call-up for the September qualifiers

During the break, Rooney was arrested for drink driving after a night out (stock photo)

During the break, Rooney was arrested for drink driving after a night out (stock photo)

It was therefore awkward timing that, in an interview with Talksport, Rooney said his reasons for wanting international weekends off was that he wants to stay fit after joining Evrton in the summer as he expects more game time.


He said: 'I was thinking about England all summer, and I just think this is the right time. With the number of games in the Europa League this season I'll be playing more, and the international breaks will give me a chance to recover better and be ready. It was obviously a difficult decision, but I think it is the right time.'

In a wide ranging interview, Rooney also spoke about the money young players are paid in modern football - and revealed and interesting technique used at Manchester United by his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Rooney said of pay for young players: 'It's football, clubs are earning so much money that's the way the game has gone. It's important to get the balance right though.

Rooney says former boss Sir Alex Ferguson banned players under 25 from buying sports cars

Rooney says former boss Sir Alex Ferguson banned players under 25 from buying sports cars

'I remember with Alex Ferguson, if you were under 25 you couldn't have a sports car. Little things like that, just to have the discipline, and the older players can help in that.'

Rooney gave an insight into life under Ferguson's rule, saying how the tough love meted out by the coach - particularly to him and Ryan Giggs - made him a better player.

He said: 'I've been in dressing rooms with players who have tears running down their faces because the manager's had a go at them and they can't take it. I've been there myself as well where Alex Ferguson has had a go at me. It gives me that lift and makes me want it more.

'Probably me and Giggsy, more than anyone, were the two players he had a go at most; he knew if we had a go at us two, the characters we were, we would go out and improve on our performances.'

Rooney claims he and Ryan Giggs got the most criticism from Fergie - which helped him

Rooney claims he and Ryan Giggs got the most criticism from Fergie - which helped him

As well as praising Ferguson, Rooney also spoke well of Louis van Gaal, whose two years at Manchester United is often criticised.

Van Gaal was sacked in 2016 and replaced by Jose Mourinho, but Rooney feels the Dutchman deserved more time. 

Rooney said: 'We won the FA Cup at the end and I was really pleased for him, because he got a lot of stick. I believe if he stayed it would have got better.

'Everything, all of the small details, on and off the pitch were important. He kept standards with the players and demanded the best, after training sessions we would sit and watch them back. If he stayed it would have got better.'

Rooney praised ex-United manager Louis van Gaal and claims he should have got more time

Rooney praised ex-United manager Louis van Gaal and claims he should have got more time