Record-breaker Rooney shuts down booze talk

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November 24, 2016 10:30 PM

Wayne Rooney gave short shrift to talk about his recent off-field indiscretions while on England duty after breaking Manchester United's European goal-scoring record against Feyenoord on Thursday.

Manchester United's English striker Wayne Rooney was criticised after being pictured drinking at a wedding between England games earlier in the month, but he said thoughts of the controversy could not have been further from his mind

Rooney, 31, scored his 39th European goal in a 4-0 victory to eclipse Ruud van Nistelrooy as the club's leading scorer in UEFA competitions and move to within one goal of Bobby Charlton's club record of 249.

Rooney was criticised after being pictured drinking at a wedding between England games earlier in the month, but he said thoughts of the controversy could not have been further from his mind.

"All that's created by people like yourself asking questions, making a big deal out of nothing," he told a television reporter from BT Sport.

"I didn't set foot in the wedding and it's a shame to have to speak about it on nights like this."

Rooney gave United a 35th-minute lead, chipping in after a one-two with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and late goals from Juan Mata and substitute Jesse Lingard, plus a Brad Jones own goal, completed a handsome win.

It left United needing only a draw from their final Group A game away to Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk in order to progress to the knockout phase and Rooney said it had been a positive night all round.

"It was a good win. We are pleased to get four goals," he said.

"The second goal killed the game. At 1-0 you never know what can happen. It's a great feeling to score goals for this club. I am pleased and there is plenty more to come."

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