Injured UK footballer Wayne Rooney is on holiday in Dubai, and has been spotted playing with a tiger and feeding a giraffe at a private home while here (as you do).

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is currently recovering after injuring his knee in a match against Sunderland last month, and so is taking advantage of the time off to get some warm weather in with a holiday in Dubai.

*IN PICS: The other celebrities spotted in the UAE this week*

Well, photos have emerged that show the footballer playing with a tiger (knee brace on and all) and feeding a giraffe. According to Arabic language daily Emarat Al Youm the photos were taken at a private farm in Al Khawaneej rather than at a zoo.

Mohammed Abbas, the brother of UAE Al Nasr footballer Hussain Abbas, told Emarat Al Youm that Rooney was incredibly pleasant while hanging out on the private farm:

“Rooney is very down-to-earth and kind-hearted, I didn’t expect that. He spoke to us about his professional and personal life comfortably like any ordinary person. He told us about the players who he likes and who he hates, and he told us Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player he has ever played with.”

The player was also spotted hanging out at new Sheikh Zayed Road restaurant Play while here (the H Hotel spot features food from ex-Zuma executive chef Reif Othman):

Only with the best PLAYers in the world! Wayne Rooney at PLAY last night.

A photo posted by PLAY Restaurant & Lounge™ (@playrestaurant) on

– Did you spot Wayne Rooney while he was here?

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