Wayne Rooney Makes Shocking Confession To Gambling

Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney made his debut appearance with Derby County in 2-1 victory against Barnsley on Thursday. He had been away in the United States where he played for the MLS Side D.C United and ended his American spell (2018-19) after agreeing to a two-year deal with the EFL Championship side in August.

Being a big-earner in the Premier League at the early stage of his career, Rooney had an indulgence for gambling that scooped out a large amount of money from his pocket. He revealed the addiction was fueled by naivety as a young footballer and loneliness when the teams - United or England national team - were on the road for an away game.

At this time, the former England international was pocketing as much as £300,000-a-week at Manchester United, therefore, there so much money to play around with but he would grow up to realize that he had been wasteful. Speaking to 32Reds on gambling awareness, the narrated how he developed a craving for gambling that amounted to a heavy loss of money.

"I was a young lad who'd just come into a lot of money," he mentioned. "For an away game with Manchester United, you stay in a hotel - and with England, you're in a hotel for seven to ten days."

"You get bored and do things to fill the time. At the time gambling was one of them. It was easy to place bets by phone. It didn't feel like real money."

During these days of youthful exuberance, The Sun revealed the forward lost as much as £700,000 to gambling in just five months by the use of a smartphone to place a bet.

He added, "It wasn't like I had to go to the bookies and put bets where there are limits. Before you know it you've lost a good bit and you don't realize the amount you're putting on."

The 34-year-old set off the opening goal with a free-kick that Jack Marriott race into and tapped into the net on his debut with Derby. Barnsley later equalized the lead before Martyn Waghorn put them back in the lead with the winning goal.