Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has revealed that he is deaf in his left ear and opened up about the difficulties this creates. The 40-year-old revealed the surprising medical facts on Match of the Day’s ‘Behind the Scenes’ show, admitting his condition is affecting his professional duties.
He provided analysis on Saturday’s show, including coverage of United’s convincing win over Manchester City. Rooney has never spoken publicly about his hearing loss, and it remains unclear when and how long he suffered from it.
Backstage at Match of the Day, the former England captain asked a BBC crew to put an earphone in his right ear instead of his left.
Pointing to his right ear, he said: “Can I do it with this ear? I used to close the talkback. The problem is I can’t hear in my left ear. So when it’s too loud I have a hard time hearing what Kelly Cates (MOTD presenter) or whoever is saying.”
Rooney signed a lucrative £800,000-a-year contract with the BBC, working as a regular pundit on the show, and launched his own podcast after leaving management. However, he has not ruled out a return to the touchline in the future.
The United icon had further reason to celebrate this weekend as he analyzed United’s 2-0 victory over City in Michael Carrick’s first game in charge.
Rooney praised the opening goal, saying: “This is the DNA of Manchester United.
“He sprinted forward and it was exactly the kind of goal I’ve seen so many times at Manchester United over the years. The ball went to Bruno (Fernandes), it went to (Brian) Mbeumo and it was a great finish.”
He added of his former teammate Carrick: “What a start for that guy. There’s been a lot of talk this week about a start he never dreamed of.”
“That performance was the best I’ve seen from a Manchester United team for a long time.
“The reason why Manchester United need former players back is because Michael Carrick knows the club well, he knows the culture, he knows the DNA of the football club. And you saw that today. They were really outstanding.”
