A masked intruder tried to break into Wayne Rooney's £6million mansion while he played in his testimonial match at Old Trafford just 18 miles away, it is alleged.
The Manchester United striker was taking part in the game against Everton on Wednesday night when the balaclava-clad raider stormed the Cheshirehome he shares with wife Coleen and their three children - Kai, Klay and Kit.
The brazen wannabe-thief had presumably thought he could storm the property while the house was empty - with Coleen and the couple's young children all in the stands watching the 30-year-old England captain play.
However, his attempt was thwarted when he triggered Rooney's elaborate security system - prompting police to automatically race to the property.
In scenes described as "like something out of a film", police swooped on the intruder but he managed to flee their capture and instead ran off into a waiting getaway car.
During the commotion, the suspect dropped his rucksack - which was allegedly filled with gaffer tape and electrical ties.
According to The Sun, a source said: 'Who knows whether he thought there was a housekeeper inside who he may have intended to truss up?'
One neighbour in the Cheshire village, described the moment police - including a force helicopter, three patrol cars and dog handlers - descended on the property.
They told the newspaper: 'It was like something out of a movie with alarms shrieking and search lights flashing on.
"The police seemed to appear from nowhere.
"They were swarming all over the place."
CCTV allegedly shows the balaclava-clad man holding an object while peering through the windows near the front door of the property.
His movements sparked the security alarm system, which caused lights and sirens to blare out.
Rooney, who was told about the attempted break-in immediately after the game at Old Trafford, was said to be "deeply shocked" by the incident, which occurred between 8.30pm and 8.45pm.
Cheshire Police confirmed it is investigating the incident and officers are appealing for witnesses.
