Sir Alex Ferguson has blamed the lack of output from Manchester United star Wayne Rooney on the constant media scrutiny in his life. The Scot acknowledged that as a key player at a high profile club like United, the England international will have to learn to cope with the public focus on him but also insisted that it has been “exhausting” on someone who just wants to play and enjoy his football.
Rooney has been dogged by controversy and scandal since the summer with first his pre-season drunken and smoking binge on a night out with wife Coleen to being caught sleeping with other women while Coleen was pregnant with son Kai.
The revelations have since left him battling to save his marriage and the striker has cut a forlorn figure at times on the pitch, with the lack of goals leading the media to cast more criticism on the player’s contribution to the team.
Rooney has scored just once in the Premier League this season and that was from the penalty spot.
Ferguson denied the stories and personal crisis have affected his star striker Rooney’s confidence with the 24-year-old rested along with several other first team stars for the club’s Carling Cup tie with Scunthorpe United on Wednesday.
“I don’t believe Wayne has a confidence problem. The boy is finally starting to realise what kind of focus is on him as a human being.” said Ferguson
“The boy can’t turn without a camera being on him but for a young person, that is not what you want.
“You want to play and enjoy your football without that attention to you as it can be quite exhausting.”
There has however been better news for Rooney on the England front with the United star netting against Switzerland in the Euro 2012 qualifiers earlier this month.
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