Beckham: Rooney should start for

Beckham: Rooney should start for

Former England captain David Beckham believes
Wayne Rooney still deserves a starting berth in the
national side amid recent criticism of the striker’ s
form.
Rooney missed the end of the domestic season with
a minor groin strain and has been working to regain
match fitness during England ’ s pre -World Cup
friendlies.
The Manchester United star scored from close range
against Ecuador for his 39th international goal for
England , but his displays have divided opinion .
Rooney is hoping to make a major impact at an
international tournament for the first time since
taking Euro 2004 by storm as an 18 -year -old, and
is still awaiting his first World Cup goal.
Beckham, who played with Rooney at the 2006
World Cup, told The Times: “I’ d always back Wazza
because he ’ s a great talent and a great player for
England ,”
“Wazza turns up and he always gives everything . I
think the fans realise that as well .
“The games I ’ ve seen Wayne play for United , he ’ s
been the shining light this season . People say that
he hasn ’ t scored at a World Cup but Wazza has
always been about more than scoring goals.
“If he doesn ’ t score, he ’ s always assisting or
creating something for the team or working hard for
the team . I think for opposing teams to see Wayne
Rooney on a teamsheet , that scares them . ”
Rooney ’ s place in the side has been questioned by
Beckham’ s former England and United team -mate
Paul Scholes , who used his blog to suggest the 28-
year- old’ s best days may already be behind him .
“When you know Scholsey and you’ ve been around
him for many years, he doesn ’ t say much but when
he says it , it ’ s always cutting, ” said Beckham .
“He’ s got a sharp tongue . He’ s a person that knows
Wayne well and been around him for quite a few
years and everyone is entitled to their opinion , not
everyone is going to agree .”
Beckham also revealed that the quality of the
youngsters in England ’ s squad made him excited for
this tournament and beyond.
“I’ m really excited about England . Roy Hodgson has
gone for that young group and it makes it
promising,” he said .
“I think Raheem Sterling ’ s a great talent. He plays
with the flair of a kid who goes out and just plays .
He deserves to be at a World Cup. Daniel Sturridge
has had a great season . He’ s a talent who can hurt
people and Alex Oxlade -Chamberlain will hopefully
recover from his injury because he was exceptional
the other night .
“People ask ‘ will the young players be ready for a
stage like this ?’ . Yes, because they’ re playing in the
biggest league in the world so I don ’ t see why they
will be afraid to play ”