Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes England (9/1 Euro 2012 winners) fans placed too much expectation on Wayne Rooney during the Three Lions failed World Cup campaign.
The former Everton forward was a shadow of the player who terrorised defences for United in the Premier League last season, failing to hit the net once.
While there are many reasons for England’s failure in South Africa, some are pointing to Rooney’s poor performances as a key aspect as to why their quest to regain the World Cup ended in disappointment.
England were dumped out of the tournament by Germany (2/1 outright World Cup winners) in the second round as they failed to show the kind of form which had earned them so many plaudits during qualification.
Ferguson says he was not too surprised by England’s failure to bring the World Cup home but admits he thought they might perform a little better.
However, he is refusing to criticise Rooney’s performances, claiming that too many people expected too much from the 24-year-old.
Ferguson explained: “I think there was such expectation on him. There was talk he was going to be the player of the tournament.
“Don’t forget, that was the prelude to the whole thing – he was going to be the star, he was going to outshine them all – (Lionel) Messi, (Cristiano) Ronaldo. So that level of expectation comes into it.
“And he’s not got great experience of [playing in] the World Cup really. You wait, in four years’ time you’ll see a different player.”
Ferguson went on to back Rooney to shine in the next World Cup in 2014 and believes England fans will see the best of the striker in a white shirt soon enough.
The United boss also went on to give his backing to the German football structure, claiming the mid-winter break in the Bundesliga looked as though it had benefitted the Germany (7/4 to beat Spain in the semi-final) side.
He believes the England set-up could learn a lot from their European counterparts and claims the mental state of the Germany squad plays a huge part in why they always seem to do so well at major tournaments.
“The history they’ve got (in Germany) is quite incredible.” he added.
“That organised mentality they have, the belief in themselves, it carries them a long way.
“Plus the fact they get a month’s rest in January – it must help. All the England team are playing in (the Premier League) so they’re all affected [by the lack of a winter break].”
Despite praising the Germans Ferguson went on to tip their arch-rivals Holland to win the World Cup overall.
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