Rooney: I thought my career was over after horror gash against Fulham

Posted Monday, September 10, 2012 by Dailymail

Wayne Rooney has revealed the horrific injury that ruled him out of the start of England's World Cup qualifying campaign came within a millimetre of ending his career.

The Manchester United striker was hurt in the closing stages of last month's victory over Fulham at Old Trafford when a collision with Hugo Rodallega left him with blood pouring from a deep thigh wound.

Rooney: I thought my career was over after horror gash against Fulham
Severe: Wayne Rooney was forced to leave the pitch on a stretcher

But the seriousness of the injury - only prompt action by United medics and then hospital doctors prevented what could have been a calamitous end to the game - has only just come to light.

'I was quite lucky it didn't cut my muscle,' he said of the six-inch gash down the inside of his right leg.

'But I was told it was just one millimetre away from severing an artery. It could have been a lot worse so thank God for that. I could have been in serious trouble.'

Rooney, 26, has been told he could be out for another month but is expected to make a full recovery.

He added: 'The doctors said a lot of players could have fainted [with the injury]. They tried to cover it up from me in the dressing room and put something in to stop it being infected, but I told them I wanted to watch.

'Thankfully, their prompt action prevented serious and possible lasting damage.'

After new £24.4million forward Robin van Persie scored a hat-trick at Southampton last week,
Rooney dismissed suggestions he will benefit from the competition for places in United's attack.

'I don't think so,' he said. 'You can't assume you're going to play but I've always worked very hard to make sure the manager has got to play me.

'It's great for us now. I'm looking forward to getting back into the team and trying to forge an understanding with Robin.'

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