Former Everton physio Mick Rathbone says Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is just a nice guy.

Rathbone was the head physio at Everton when Rooney burst onto the world stage in such dramatic circumstances in 2002.

"Maybe people don't want to hear about this side to him - but Wayne is a really nice guy, respectful, great to work with, polite and punctual," he told the Manchester Evening News. "He is a calm and relaxed person.

"When the whistle blows, his competitiveness comes through. He wears his heart on his sleeve and that passion is the secret of his success. He loves to win."