Man United's Wayne Rooney 'knocked out in boxing video'

Rooney and Bardsley are friends and former team-mates

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney appears to be knocked out in a kitchen boxing bout, according to video footage which has emerged.

The Sun on Sunday clip claims to show the England striker sparring with Stoke City defender Phil Bardsley, at Rooney's home in Cheshire.

In the video, boxing fan Rooney, 29, seems to be caught by a blow from former United team-mate Bardsley, 29.

Rooney falls backwards and does not move until the footage ends.

The Sun on Sunday reports that the incident happened on 22 February, with Rooney given two days off after United's 2-1 defeat at Swansea the day before.

The video shows the two men exchanging several punches and grappling before Bardsley hits Rooney with a left-hand jab.

Phil Bardsley's wife Tanya tweeted that Wayne Rooney was not hurt by the punch

Six days later Rooney scored twice - his first goals in nine Premier League games - as United beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford.

The England captain was one of several sporting figures to support professional boxer Anthony Crolla after the Oldham fighter was left with a broken skull tackling burglars.

In August, the Premier League introduced new guidance on removing players with head injuries from the pitch and the Football Association is planning to introduce new rules on concussion for grassroots football.

Both Manchester United and Rooney have declined to comment.