In a bizarre turn of events, Gerrard a Liverpool legend is defending Rooney of Manchester United, from criticism he has received from Manchester United legend Paul Scholes. The United legend claimed, that Wayne Rooney may be past his best. In a detailed blog exclusive to Paddy Power, Paul Scholes had this to say.
"There's a chance he's worn out. Wayne's peak may have been a lot younger than what we'd expect of footballers traditionally.
"Age 28 or 29 has been the normal 'peak'. With Wayne, it could have been when he scored 27 league goals in 2011/2012 when he was 26.” (From Sky Sports)
Paul Scholes insists however that Wayne Rooney could make a vital part of the new Manchester United midfield, claiming he possess the ability to ‘pick out a pass’ which Scholes claims his side has missed in recent years. He also further stated his ex-teammate still is a very good player, but is possibly past his best and on the way down. After Scholes’s original retirement back in 2011, Manchester United have missed a playmaking central midfielder. Even Scholes coming out of retirement did not spur the midfield on. Scholes further went on to say he doesn’t think the England ‘management has the balls to drop him’ which has angered Gerrard.
However, Gerrard who is training with Rooney ahead of the World Cup disagrees with Paul Scholes’s comments on England team-mate Wayne. Gerrard claims that Wayne Rooney is in peak condition, after being Manchester United’s ‘best player in Europe and their best player in the league’. ‘He’s in a better frame of mind going into this tournament than he’s had going into previous tournaments when he’s had injuries.’
It is odd to see Paul Scholes, the man who kept himself to himself during his playing career so openly slate an ex-teammate. Especially so close to the World Cup. But what Scholes has said, has obviously cut deep with the England captain Gerrard, suggesting that the England camp is extremely protective over their star striker Wayne Rooney, who is yet to score at a World Cup.