Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has suggested that Wayne Rooney may have reached his 'peak' too early in his career.
The 28-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract at Old Trafford last season, is currently preparing with his England teammates in Portugal for their World Cup campaign in Brazil next month.
Scholes has questioned whether Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson would be brave enough to drop the striker, who Scholes believes needs to prove his world-class ability in the global tournament.
The 39-year-old wrote in his Paddy Power column: "I'm not saying Wayne needs to be dropped but if 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.
"We have quality forwards in the squad this time. That should give Wayne the competition he needs to spur him on a little more.
"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."
Meanwhile, Scholes has revealed that he does not expect to be part of United's coaching staff under Louis van Gaal's regime next season.
Danielle Joynson
