Pep on Rooney: I was lucky there were no pictures

Joe Williams

Pep Guardiola has stuck up for Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney by admitting that he also used to get “drunk” on international duty.

The England captain was snapped partying until 5am in the morning on international duty – albeit on a designated day off – and The Sun claims he ‘now faces an uncertain future with the national team’.

Rooney has since apologised for his behaviour and he has received lots of backing from within the game, including from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Manchester City boss Guardiola has said it’s Rooney’s “responsibility” to look after himself but feels sympathy as he used to consume alcohol in the same situation.

“I was an international player during my time as a player and sometimes I was drunk as well,” the Spaniard said. “I was lucky there were no pictures. You [journalists] have drunk as well. I was responsible, you are responsible, Wayne is responsible as well.

“I don’t think the Association has to be responsible about that. We are people, we are old enough to take our responsibilities. But it’s the private life. You have to respect absolutely what other people do.

“I don’t like when people comment about my private life, I will not comment about the private life of other people. I have a lot of respect for Wayne Rooney, about his career, as a human being. Private life is the private life, I don’t have comments about that.

“I am responsible for what I do, it’s not the responsibility of Manchester City.”