Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen have secretly jetted off to Dubai, for a stay at the luxury Burj Al Arab, voted “World’s Leading Hotel” by the World Travel Awards.

The Manchester United player postponed his 25th birthday party at his home in Cheshire, despite already spending over £90,000 on food and beverages.

The trip to the beyond-luxurious Burj Al Arab follows a fraught week that saw Rooney engaged in a very public spat with manager Sir Alex Ferguson in which he criticised the quality of fellow players and the ambitions of the club. But the pair patched up their differencing as the England strike signed a new five-year deal, doubling his weekly salary to £200,000 and making the world’s highest paid player.

Rooney was then forced to apologise to his team and the fans.

Wife Coleen, 24, rang around the 100 guests they had invited to his birthday to cancel and they packed their bags for a last-minute holiday.

Rooney, who is currently injured, asked permission from Sir Alex to go on the trip and the Manchester United manager gave it his full backing.

The seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel has attracted international attention and awe since opening in 1997, ensuring its place as one of the most photographed structures in the world.

Designed to resemble a billowing sail, Burj Al Arab soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai skyline. It is illuminated at night by choreographed lighting representing water and fire.

As well as winning “World’s Leading Hotel” at the 2009 World Travel Awards, the Burj Al Arab was also voted “Middle East’s Leading Luxury Hotel” at the 2010 WTAs in Dubai, as well as “Middle East’s Leading Hotel”. The palatial property has also been nominated again as “World’s Leading Hotel” at the WTA 2010 Grand Final, which takes place in London on 7 November.