Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has conducted a blunt analysis of England striker Wayne Rooney ahead of the World Cup, suggesting his best may be behind him.
In his first blog for Paddy Power, Scholes certainly gave a detailed and controversial view of where Rooney is in his club and international career.
Scholes believes that Rooney should not be guaranteed a starting place in Roy Hodgson’s team this summer, with the level of strikers in the squad this time around.
The stat which continues to be thrown in Rooney’s face is that he has never scored at a World Cup, and some of that can be put down to the fact that he was England’s big hope upfront.
However, four years on the landscape has changed a lot. The large United influence on the national team has all but disappeared.
There is a very real possibility that Rooney could be the only one starting the first game in Manaus, with Jones, Smalling and Welbeck unlikely to make the starting line-up.
But the big difference this time around can be summed up in two words. Daniel Sturridge. He has been in great form this season scoring 21 goals and giving seven assists with title chasing Liverpool.
As too is Rickie Lambert. At 32, the Southampton striker has got 13 goals and 10 assists in league this season. Not only that, he knows how to put away a penalty.
I agree with Scholes that Rooney is past his best, in the sense that he is no longer a number 9. I don’t see him ever reaching the heights of 2012 when he scored 27 league goals.
But at 28 he could certainly put his passing ability, his strength, stamina and powerful strike to good use in a midfield role. A role which he may find himself in with van Gaal as United boss.
