David Moyes defends Wayne Rooney over drinking controversy

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 18 November 2016

Sunderland manager David Moyes defends Wayne Rooney after the England captain was criticised for an alleged late-night drinking session.

Sunderland manager David Moyes has leapt to the defence of Wayne Rooney after the England captain was criticised for being caught seemingly drunk at a wedding.

Rooney was forced to apologise after photos emerged of him celebrating England's 3-0 victory over Scotland last week, while the FA is understood to be investigating the incident.

However, Moyes, who managed Rooney during the formative years of his career at Everton, played down the situation and insists that the Manchester United skipper is an easy player to manage.

"I think an awful lot has been made of it, and I think there are a lot of people maybe writing it who would like a drink as well at times and people saying it," he told reporters.

"I have known Wayne since [he was] a boy - it hasn't affected his goalscoring, it hasn't affected his performances. He's been a brilliant player - he's just about to break the record at Manchester United, he has done at England. He got some time off, so I don't see too big a problem, and Wayne will know exactly how he feels about it.

"He was a really good boy to manage because the one thing you knew, the minute he went on the pitch, whatever he had done or whatever had happened didn't matter. He always felt he wanted to show what he could do. He was a good boy, a good boy."

Rooney has also received words of encouragement from Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.