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 Cheshire home 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.