Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney lashes out at critics after England performance

Wayne Rooney

England striker Wayne Rooney has hit back at his critics after claiming that his place in Roy Hodgson’s starting lineup is not guaranteed.

The Manchester United striker started in the Three Lions’ 2-2 defeat to Italy during the Group D opener of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The 28-year-old was deployed on the left wing by England boss and his cross from the left side saw Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge score the equaliser.

Rooney says he has worked hard to earn a place in the team and claims that he would respect Hodgson’s decision if he drops him from the playing XI.

“I’ve never felt that. Why would I feel my place in the team is guaranteed?”

“I work hard to try and get into that team. I have never said my place is guaranteed. I don’t expect to play, I work hard. I want to play,” Rooney said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

“We have got a lot of good, young players so we will all work hard, all give the manager different options, different choices and whoever he picks then I am sure we will all respect that.”

The former Everton man’s record in football’s biggest stage has been poor. In the last two editions of the World Cup, Rooney has failed to score and all eyes will be on him during the summer tournament in Brazil.

The United striker has come under serious criticism from part of English fans and few football pundits have urged Hodgson to drop Rooney for the next game against Uruguay.

England face the South American nation in their next fixture, before taking on Costa Rica in the final Group D tie. The Three Lions need to win the next game against Uruguay, a fixture where Liverpool star Luis Suarez could make a comeback to the national side after being sidelined due to an injury.

A defeat for either England or Uruguay is likely to end their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, United legend Paul Scholes believes his former teammate was played out of position by Hodgson during England’s opening game against Italy.

“I’ve previously said the best position for Wayne is centre forward. If you think about the contenders at the World Cup and goalscorers – Holland play RVP (Robin van Persie) in his best position. Brazil play Neymar where he wants to play, Argentina with Messi, Portugal with Ronaldo,” Scholes stressed.

“I don’t blame Wayne one little bit but he was played in three different positions. He’s without a doubt England’s best goalscorer.”

“But he was played on the left, played on the right, then in the centre. Where’s the confidence in Wayne to say: “You’re our main player. You’re our centre forward.” If he plays there, he scores goals,” the former United midfielder added.