Wayne Rooney admits he has settled down during the last few years after a tumultuous start off the pitch at Manchester United and pouts it down to getting married and expecting the birth of his first child.

Recent comments from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson indicated he prefers it when his players settle down and get married and Rooney echoed those sentiments.

"I've certainly settled down over the last couple of years," said Rooney. "I was still quite young when I signed for United but you realise different things when you get a bit older.

"I think I've changed a lot. When I was at Everton and perhaps in my first year at United, I probably went out a bit more than I should have done.

"I got myself involved in different situations, but these days I don't really go out at all. I try not to put myself in those situations any more.

"These days I enjoy my time with my family in places where I know I've got the right people around me.

"Everywhere I go people recognise me. I suppose you get used to it, but you still need your privacy at certain times."