Wayne Rooney Takes Legal Action Against Andy Carroll's Autobiography

Wayne Rooney has instructed lawyers over claims made by former England team‑mate Andy Carroll in his forthcoming autobiography, setting up a potential legal showdown between the two ex-internationals.

The 40-year-old former England captain has sent a formal legal letter to the publishers of Carroll’s book, Owning It, demanding the removal of allegations that he organised drinking sessions while on England duty around 2010–2011.

Carroll’s memoir alleges that Rooney, then the talisman of the national side and a Manchester United icon, invited players to his hotel room to drink during Three Lions training camps. Rooney’s camp insist the account is false and damaging.

An insider close to Rooney told The Sun that the Derby and Birmingham City ex-manager is furious and prepared to push the issue as far as necessary: “Wayne is livid. He’s not messing around. His legal team have sent a strongly worded letter to the publisher. He wants it retracted as it is completely untrue. Wayne knows he’s no angel but this crossed the line. It’s a matter of principle.”

The stakes for Carroll are suddenly far higher than a headline-grabbing book launch. The former Newcastle and Liverpool striker, whose career was often overshadowed by injuries and off-field scrutiny, could now face an expensive court battle if he refuses to back down.

According to the same source, the 35-year-old is rattled by the scale of Rooney’s response: “Andy is spiralling over the whole situation. He didn’t think for a second Rooney would kick off like this. Andy had a book to sell and now he’s in over his head. There may be a public apology coming unless he wants a legal battle on his hands.”

The timing could hardly be more sensitive for Rooney. The ex-forward, who retired from playing in 2018, is in advanced talks to appear on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here, aiming to at least match the runner-up finish achieved by his wife Coleen on last year’s series.

Rooney has spent the past few years trying to reshape his post-playing identity. After mixed spells in management, he has moved into broadcasting with a role on BBC’s Match of the Day, while also agreeing to front a podcast and a gameshow. His latest step into the spotlight comes with The Real Rooneys, a Disney+ series following his family, which is released on Thursday.

That date now carries extra tension: Carroll’s book is due out the same day.

For Rooney, who has shed weight and, according to those close to him, cut out drinking as part of a conscious lifestyle overhaul, the allegations strike at the heart of the image he is trying to project.

“Everything Wayne has been doing recently is marking a fresh chapter in his career,” the insider added. “He’s lost a lot of weight and cut out drinking — his old habits are firmly in the past. Andy accusing him of bad behaviour is the last thing he wants or needs.”

A fresh chapter, then, but one that may yet open in a courtroom rather than a television studio.