Friday, 30th May, 2014
England skipper Steven Gerrard has come in the defence of Wayne Rooney after former Manchester United player Paul Scholes suggested that the forward may have past his best.
Scholes, who played alongside Rooney for a number of years at Manchester United, feels the 28-year-old passed his peak two years ago when he scored 27 Premier League goals in the 2011/12 campaign.
"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,” the ex-England international wrote on his Paddy Power blog.
"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."
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However, Gerrard disagrees with his former England colleague Scholes as he believes Rooney, who scored 19 goals and provided 22 assists in 40 appearances in all competition for Manchester United this season, was the Red Devils’ best player in the 2013/14 campaign.
"I think Paul Scholes was wrong,” Gerrard said.
"Wayne has been Manchester United's best player throughout the season, both at home and in Europe.
"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.”
The Liverpool captain further added that he is “excited” by Rooney’s present form and feels the striker is heading into next month’s World Cup in Brazil with a positive mindset.
"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,” Gerrard added.
"I'm excited about where Wayne Rooney is at."
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