Rooney teams up with Cole (again) as England stars party in LA

Wayne Rooney endured a miserable Euro 2012 – the pressure, Steven Gerrard tells us, became too much for the Manchester United star to handle.

Banned for England's opening two games, Rooney failed to live up to the hype on his return to Roy Hodgson's side, scoring just one goal in two very lacklustre displays.

A Champions League, and multiple Barclays Premier League winner, Rooney is unlikely to hold this summer's championships in high esteem.

Centre of attention: Rooney is snapped partying with Ireland, Cole, Wright-Phillips and Knight in LA

Centre of attention: Rooney is snapped partying with Ireland, Cole, Wright-Phillips and Knight in LA

Perhaps that would go some way to explaining his partying antics in Los Angeles after he was granted an extended break by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

On holiday with wife Coleen, Rooney hit a vodka party on Saturday. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, the England ace was surrounded by some rather familiar faces.

The United striker was snapped hanging out with fellow England team-mate Ashley Cole, also enjoying a summer break across the Pond. Bolton defender Zat Knight, Queens Park Rangers midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland also joined in on the party.

Time to party: Rooney poses with American rapper Trey Songz

Time to party: Rooney poses with American rapper Trey Songz

Posing for pictures with rap stars Timbaland and Trey Songz, Rooney and Co were attending the BET Awards Summer Pool Soiree.

Rooney was then pictured out in Hollywood with Coleen, as he continued to put his Euro woes behind him.

Earlier, England captain Gerrard came out in support of his England team-mate following a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign. He said: 'At this level one of the biggest things is playing without expectation or fear.

Out of touch: Rooney failed to live up to the hype on his return to Roy Hodgson's side

Out of touch: Rooney failed to live up to the hype on his return to Roy Hodgson's side

'It is only normal if Wayne is weighed down with that feeling of expectation because everyone expects him to do well. Since he's been around, there's been pressure because of his performances in 2004. Wayne is expected to come to these tournaments and win them all on his own.

'The responsibility has got to be on all 23 players. It's unfair to look at Wayne and say because he never played well, he's the reason why we don't do well at these tournaments.'