Paul Scholes has claimed that Wayne Rooney might have already reached his peak and that Ed Woodward will have a lot to answer for if United do not complete a couple of world class signings this summer.
Rooney looked set to leave United last summer after relationship between him and Sir Alex Ferguson broke down, but was convinced to remain at the club by David Moyes and ended up signing a new five-year deal which will probably keep him at Old Trafford for the remainder of his career.
In a shambolic season for United, Rooney proved to be one of the brightest notes, scoring 17 goals and assisting 10 in 27 Premier League games, but Scholes wondered whether his former team-mate was already past his peak.
“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.
He’s got a brilliant scoring record for his country with 38 goals in 89 internationals, but he’s played in eight World Cup games without a goal,” said Scholes.
“You expect more of him. If Wayne is going to be one of the best footballers in the world, this World Cup is where he has to produce.”
Scholes also insisted that Rooney might not be a guaranteed starter when Roy Hodgson’s men begin the World Cup campaign against Italy in three weeks time.
“I’m not saying Wayne needs to be dropped but if his form doesn’t get up to scratch in the warm-ups, or in the first game of the World Cup, it’ll be interesting to see if the England management team has the balls to make that decision,” Scholesy told betting website Paddy Power.
“We have quality forwards in the squad this time. That should give Wayne the competition he needs to spur him on a little more,” he continued.
The former United midfield maestro also fired a direct shot at United’s chief executive Ed Woodward, the man Scholes holds responsible for United’s failure in the transfer window 12 months ago.
“David Moyes took a lot of stick, but I believe he’s a top manager. I’d question if 10 months was enough time.
“Edward Woodward has an awful lot to prove this time that he’s good enough at his job. He has to bring the players in that the new manager wants.
“It’s obvious that last year he didn’t manage to do that. If he doesn’t we are not going to get anywhere near the top.”
Scholes also admitted he doesn’t expect to be at United next season.
“I’ve not spoken to Edward Woodward. I came back for Ryan Giggs for the last few games of last season to try to help out, but I’m not waiting for a phone call and don’t expect to be at United next season.”
United, meanwhile, have pulled out of the race for signing Toni Kroos. In a bizarre twist, given the reports over the last few days, the usually reliable Jamie Jackson wrote on the Guardian that Louis Van Gaal has decided to end United’s interest in the German international.
Dan
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