Mark Hughes can remember the days when players were caught out drinking late by Sir Alex Ferguson’s network of spies rather than fans with phone cameras but the Stoke manager has stressed that is not the only difference in modern day football.
Hughes insists players can no longer consume alcohol in the liberal manner of his era due to the advances in sport science, with a clear message to Wayne Rooney following the England striker’s early-hours boozing session.
Rooney was embarrassed by being captured worse for wear while posing for pictures with supporters the night before a training session, placing his England captaincy at risk and prompting the FA to launch an investigation.