Footballers should not expect knighthood says Rooney

Rooney does not feel footballers deserve a knighthood (GETTY IMAGES)

Footballers should not expect to be knighted for their success on the pitch, England striker Wayne Rooney said today.

The Manchester United star said he did not expect to pick up the honour, despite appearing in an advert where he is shown being dubbed by the Queen as Sir Wayne.

He told the Sun: "No, I don't think about anything like that. Personally, playing football, I don't think you should become a Sir, to be honest.

"There are other people doing things in the world who deserve it a lot more."

The footballer also described how background noise helps him get to sleep and some of the strange strategies he adopts to nod off, including leaving a fan or a hairdryer on and sleeping on plane floors during long-haul flights so he can hear the engine.