Overview

• The 39-year-old made the disclosures this week on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast, describing a long-running struggle with alcohol.
• He recounted two-day binges during his playing career and said he used eye drops, chewing gum and aftershave to hide it at training.
• He said he felt unable to seek help at the time because he did not want to burden others.
• He credited Coleen Rooney with helping him control his behavior for “20-odd years” and said he believes he would be dead without her.
• Coverage places previous scandals, including a 2017 drink-driving conviction, in the context of his admission of a serious alcohol problem.