Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has criticised the British government and the Premier League for placing footballers in a "no-win situation" over proposed pay cuts after a warning from players' representatives that National Health Service coffers could suffer.

The former England captain, now playing for Championship side Derby, penned an impassioned column in the Sunday Times saying his fellow professionals were "easy targets" in the wider response to the Coronavirus crisis. Rooney made it clear he had both the means and the will to make financial contributions, but felt the public pressure being exerted on players was unhelpful.