Manchester United star Wayne Rooney needed emergency surgery to rescue his ear, it has been revealed.

Rooney received 45 stitches to his ear in an shock emergency operation on holiday.

The Manchester United striker was rushed to hospital on Friday after falling over on rented yacht in St Tropez.

The Sunday Mirror says Rooney was reportedly 'larking around' with friends onboard the boat when the incident happened.

A hospital source said: "Mr Rooney arrived at about 9am after an accident on the deck of a yacht.

"Part of his ear had been nearly sliced off. It was really difficult to sew back up because it was bleeding so profusely, so we called in a specialised cosmetic surgeon.

"The work was delicate but the operation was completely successful and the ear is expected to look no different once it has healed."