Carra: Rooney Not The Problem

Jamie Carragher says England's players should have taken collective responsibility after Wayne Rooney was involved in a drinking controversy while away with the national team.

The Manchester United forward was pictured looking worse for wear at a wedding reception at the England team hotel after their World Cup Qualifier against Scotland.

Rooney initially apologised for his behaviour before describing the media coverage of the incident as "disgraceful" following United's 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Saturday.

But Carragher, speaking during Monday Night Football's Twitter Q&A, does not think the Manchester United forward is solely to blame.

"The biggest problem is not Wayne Rooney or the players," the former Liverpool defender said.

"For me looking at the situation after a week or so, the biggest problem is the FA.

"Where's all this information coming from? Every day there's another question asked. Was he allowed to stay up? The next day the answer is there. Who was he with? There's information coming out of the FA.

"Gareth Southgate was part of a squad at Euro 96 when something went on before they got to the tournament," Carragher added.

"It was a different climate and culture, I get that. But the way they dealt with it was collective responsibility. Wayne Rooney wasn't the only player to go out because the rest of the squad were in a night club. I know where I would want my player, in the hotel bar.

"Where's the collective responsibility? Why is it all on Wayne Rooney?

"People have said he's the captain, he's the example to the rest of the squad, who look up to him.

"If they all love him and look up to him that much why didn't they stay in the bar with him. Why did they all go to a night club?"

Rooney's performances for club and country have been heavily scrutinised this season and Carragher thinks it's only natural that he needs a release from the pressure.

Carragher said: "Have you ever thought for one minute what it's like being Wayne Rooney? People may say he earns lots of money and he's got a fantastic life.

"Of course he has but he can't go to a night club. The whole place would come to a standstill. He can't go out on a Saturday night so his only real chance is in the hotel bar.

"We talk about staff being with him, they may be some of his closest friends. How many people can he trust? They are masseurs and physios he's known for 10 to 12 years. Think of it like that. The pressure that lad's been under all season.

"Every performance gets scrutinised so much. 'He shouldn't be in the team, the money he's on, Manchester United need to get rid of him, England are a better team without him'.

"He's a human being with family and friends. He needs a release."

Credit: Skysports.com