Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has struggled to light up Old Trafford this season, but he was on hand as a local schoolgirl flicked on Christmas Lights at the Theatre of Dreams.

The United captain and teammate Michael Carrick turned up at the stadium on Wednesday night to surprise 15-year-old Winta Abreha, who earned the chance to illuminate a giant tree just outside the ground.

"It is a really important time, especially for the children, and for me just waking up in the morning and enjoying it with my wife and children is a special moment," Rooney, who has two sons with wife Coleen and a third child on the way, told MUTV.

"Especially with my young lad now, it is probably the first one which he understands, so I am looking forward to that. And again I am looking forward to going into training and into the hotel!"

Rooney, 30, has courted criticism for his performances this season after netting twice in 12 Premier League games.