Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney has brushed off suggestions his recent dip in form is down to post-World Cup trauma, and believes a red card he received in Amsterdam is more to blame.
Rooney’s relative lack of spark, and goals, this term has led many observers to comment that he may have been rushed back too quickly from injury to play in the World Cup.
The former Everton starlet will celebrate his 21st birthday on Tuesday having having found his feet again.
And after Alex Ferguson called on Rooney’s critics to get off the striker’s back, Rooney told Manchester United Radio it was a lack of games — due to the red card and subsequent three-match ban he picked up against Porto in a friendly — that had robbed him of match practice at a vital stage of United’s pre-season programme.
”I am happy with my form and enjoying my football as always but if there was a reason for my fitness dropping, it was that three-game ban,” said Rooney.
”You can do all the training you want but if you are not playing games it will have an effect. You have to play games to get match fit.
”In effect, I received a four-game ban because I also missed the second match in Amsterdam. I was devastated about it because I felt it was undeserved.
”I didn’t agree with it but in the end I had to get on with it.”
The one remaining talking point as Rooney celebrates his ”coming of age” is his lack of goals.
”I know what my job is for the team and I feel I am doing that well enough. We are winning games and we are top of the league, so there is no real concern there.”
Ferguson clearly has no doubt a player he paid £27-million ($50-million) for as an 18-year-old will eventually fulfil his potential and justify most, if not all, the hype surrounding him.
”When we signed him at 18, everyone said what will he be like at 21. Now he is 21 people say what will he be like at 25,” Ferguson told MUTV.
”It was always destined to be that way I guess because Wayne is truly blessed. He doesn’t just have ability, he has a fire inside him. His enthusiasm is an inspiration to everybody. Without doubt, he is the best 21-year-old I have ever had.” – Sapa-AFP