Wayne Rooney was pictured out into the early hours of Sunday morning last week while drinking with guests at a wedding just 24 hours after England had beaten Scotland. And this week critics have condemned the Manchester United and England captain for his antics while on duty with his country. Gareth Southgate had given his players the night off but Ferdinand believes Rooney took it a step too far.

GETTY Wayne Rooney called the criticism this week as disgraceful

GETTY Rio Ferdinand said Cristiano Ronaldo is the perfect professional

"If you look at the elite players like Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Bale etc," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "The difference with those players and Wayne and the mistake that he made is publicly doing it. "You wouldn't see those players out until five in the morning absolutely off their head.

GETTY Rio Ferdinand believes Rooney made a mistake by going out in public

"That's because either they're protecting themselves and doing it a different way or they're completely football first and that governs their life." Rooney came on as a substitute in United's 1-1 draw with Arsenal yesterday and after the game he was asked what he had made of the widespread reaction to his boozy night out. But the 31-year-old slammed the coverage of his incident and wants to put it behind him.

Wayne Rooney in Manchester United training ahead of Arsenal clash Fri, November 18, 2016 Manchester United captain enjoys himself in training despite concerns the 31-year-old could miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Arsenal through injury Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 10 Express Sport brings you the best pictures as Manchester United train ahead of Saturday's clash with Arsenal (12.30pm)