Rooney hits back after heavy United criticism

Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney has labelled the criticism aimed at him recently as “a lot of old rubbish”.

The 30-year-old, who has been an ever present in the Premier League this season, has hot back at his critics, many of whom want the England man dropped for Saturday’s clash with Leicester at Old Trafford.

The former Everton forward, who has played all across the front line and as a deep-lying midfielder, is struggling for form but he is convinced he can get back to his best after claiming he has been under scrutiny his whole career.

“I think I’ve had that [scrutiny] my whole career – a little bit more of late, I think, but that’s football,” he told MUTV.

“I listen to my coaches and my team-mates, the people around me, and I don’t really listen to what a lot of people out there are saying because a lot of it is rubbish.

Why have figures ‘in the game’ so far refused to publicly criticise Rooney?

“I have to focus, work hard, of course, and I’ve done that throughout my career. I’ve worked hard and tried to do my best for the team.

“I’ve done that [played in different positions] throughout my career.

“I feel I can play in all positions but I think the manager has made it clear either I’ll play up front or in the No 10 and that’s where he sees me playing.”

Rooney is hoping that United can bounce back to form in the league after last weekend’s defeat at Watford.

“As I said before, it’s not just myself – the whole team is going in and working hard,” he added.

“We had a bad week but we’ve been working hard to put that right.”