Rooney on booze binges & why he'd be dead without Coleen

WAYNE Rooney has spoken about how his marathon booze binges when he was a footballer took him to the brink.

- BY PHIL CARDY

He added he thinks he would be dead if not for his wife Coleen being able to get him back on the straight and narrow.

Manchester United legend Wayne, 39, said of his playing days: "I wanted to live my life as well.

"I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends.

"It got to a point where I went too far. That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively [with alcohol].

"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.

"I remember going into training and putting eye drops in, chewing gum. I just drank for two days straight, then came to training.

"On the weekend, I'd score a few goals, then I'd go back and drink for two days straight again."

He said fellow Scouser Coleen could tame his behaviour enough for him to be able to play on match day.

Speaking to former United and England teammate Rio Ferdinand, Wayne added: "Coleen is massive.