Wayne Rooney has history in the sport despite getting knocked out by one of his former Manchester United team-mates

Wayne Rooney and Jamie Carragher could be about to go head-to-head again - this time in the ring. The Manchester United and Everton legend has called out Liverpool icon Carragher for a boxing match.

Rooney, who boxed in his youth, put Carragher on notice during a visit to Liverpool's Croxteth Amateur Boxing Club, which was founded by his uncle, Richie Rooney. He was supporting local fighters, Jack Turner and Oliver Jones, who are part of Frank Warren's Queensberry stable.

During the visit, which was captured by Queensberry, he turned to the camera to announce: "I'd f***ing love to get Carragher in the ring, so you can tell him. Carra, I would love to get you in the ring."

Most people's money would be on Rooney, 41, who is seven years Carragher's junior, thanks to his boxing background. He was still fighting until the age of 15, when Everton told him to hang up his gloves.

At 16, he was playing in the first team, announcing himself to the world with 'that' goal against champions Arsenal in 2002. Rooney credits boxing for helping him make his Premier League debut at such a young age.

He told Queensberry: "I love boxing, love watching boxing. But I wasn't good enough to go down that route. It's where I'm from.

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"I always think being able to play for Everton at 16, boxing was a big part of that. It helped my legs grow, my bum grow. You need that for your power."

Rooney's more recent experience with the gloves is questionable after being knocked out by then United team-mate Phil Bardsley during an impromptu spot sparring session at his Cheshire mansion in 2015.

After footage of the incident emerged on social media, Rooney celebrated his next goal by pretending to be knocked out. Due to his fighting past, the former Derby and Birmingham manager has been linked with the Misfits Boxing promotion.

Last year, he was challenged to a bout by former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny but it failed to materialise. Rooney's fight plans will be on hold for now as he is set to be part of the next series of I'm A Celebrity after securing a six-figure fee, reports The Sun.

Meanwhile, Carragher has avoided a fight of a different kind after Aston Villa dropped their threat of legal action against him. Villa threatened to sue the former England defender after he made "unacceptable insults" on the Stick To Football podcast last week.

Carragher told Villa fans to "shut the f*** up" after facing criticism for suggesting Unai Emery should consider taking the United job if Michael Carrick is sacked. The Sky Sports pundit apologised on social media, admitting he used "clumsy and wrong" language.