Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney was CLOBBERED by former teammate Phil Bardsley during an impromptu boxing bout, it has been revealed. The Mail on Sunday says Rooney donned boxing gloves along with Stoke City fullback Bardsley, both of whom are big boxing fans, during a jovial night-in only to find himself on the receiving end of a heavy punch from his Premier League rival.

Rooney is said to have been visibly shaken by the blow during the incident, which is understood to have taken place earlier this year.

The pair are former United team-mates, Bardsley leaving Old Trafford for Sunderland in 2008.