England captain Steven Gerrard has launched a passionate defence of Wayne Rooney after former Manchester United team-mate Paul Scholes suggested the striker may be past his peak.
Scholes questioned whether England’s management team would have the courage to ever drop 28-year-old Rooney.
Midfielder Gerrard, 33, said: “I think Paul Scholes was wrong. Wayne has been Manchester United’s best player throughout the season, both at home and in Europe.”
England face their final home friendly before the World Cup against Peru on Friday. And manager Roy Hodgson, who leads England into next month’s World Cup in Brazil, added: “I’d like to think that, as a manager and coach for a long time, I have the capacity to make the decisions that are necessary. And secondly, of course I don’t think he’s past his best.”
Rooney underwent a special training programme in Portugal ahead of joining up with England’s World Cup squad, who fly to Miami this weekend to continue their World Cup build-up, to ensure he had recovered fully from a groin injury he suffered towards the end of United’s season.
He was troubled by injuries at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and in South Africa four years later – and was suspended for the first two games of England’s Euro 2012 campaign in Poland and Ukraine.
He has not flourished in a major tournament since emerging as the brilliant 17-year-old then playing for Everton in Euro 2004 and Scholes said: “Age 28 or 29 has been the normal peak. With Wayne it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011-12 when he was 26.
“Wayne was in the Everton team at 16 in 2003. Since then he has played at Euro 2004, two World Cups, the Premier League and Champions League every year. There’s a chance he’s worn out.”
Gerrard added: “I think he’s been in terrific form. I can only judge from my opinion but from what I’ve seen of his performances in the United team and his form has been really positive.
“He’s worked hard this week and he decided to do his own week of extra training. He seems in a much better frame of mind going into this tournament than he’s had in previous tournaments when he’s had injuries on his mind. I’m excited about where Wayne Rooney is at.”
Scholes said it would be “interesting” to see if England’s management were brave enough to drop Rooney but Hodgson said: “I’ve selected Wayne in a 23-man squad that I am very proud of.
“I believe in Wayne Rooney. He’s still a young man. If I’m going to have to comment and defend people or challenge opinions every time someone airs one I’m going to be a very busy man at this World Cup.
“Maybe the next one is Franz Beckenbauer or Pele. Who knows? If I’m going to answer every criticism from people worthy of that opinion I’ll be a very busy man.”
Follow Us
