Rooney recalls taking CR7 to McDonald's as he was trying to put on weight at Utd

These days Cristiano Ronaldo eats six healthy micro-meals a day and takes five naps in addition to getting eight hours sleep to keep up his incredible physique.

However Wayne Rooney has recalled the time when he would take a much skinnier Ronaldo to McDonald's as he tried to put on weight in his early days at Manchester United.

In an interview with The Times, Rooney has reminisced on old memories when the stars were teammates at Old Trafford during a successful time for the Red Devils.

He said: 'With Cristiano, when I first got to United we used to go to games and training together. I remember the night before a game stopping off at McDonald's because he wanted a Big Mac.

'He was trying to put weight on because he was so thin. I was driving the car, having to go through the drive-through to get him a Big Mac.'

During their time as teammates, the pair inspired Sir Alex Ferguson's team to three successive league titles.

Ronaldo went on to have an incredible career playing for Real Madrid and now Juventus, and with his six meals and five naps he is doing all he can to prolong his time at the top of the game.

Rooney added: 'With four kids I don't know how he fits that in.

'You've got Ronaldo, who looks a million dollars, whereas I've never had the best body, but I can play 90 minutes, I can train every day. I have no worries physically. When I do, I'll stop.'

The 34-year-old striker is nearing the end of his professional career after having an incredible career himself where he became the top scorers in the history of both Manchester United and for the England national team.

After a stint in the MLS at D.C. United, Rooney now spends his time in the Championship as a player-coach for Derby County.

Current manager Phillipe Cocu has backed the Liverpudlian to become a manager in the future after his playing days are over.

When asked on qualities he would take from the managers he had, Rooney said: '(Louis) Van Gaal's preparation, Fergie's man-management, (Jose) Mourinho's stubbornness - I think sometimes you need that.

'Sam Allardyce knew what he wanted. You can only manage to the capabilities of your team and that's what Sam has always done. Once I go into it I'm sure I'll have my own way.'

While Rooney said tactically Van Gaal was 'by far the best,' Fergie was 'streets ahead of everyone.'

'He was incredible. It wasn't complicated. The big thing was he had trust in people. He trusted his coaches to put sessions on, he trusted his players. People always ask how were his team talks - a lot of his team talks were just, "You 11 are better than them. Go win the game.'