Rooney vows to ignore critics

WAYNE Rooney has vowed to shut out the critics and battle hard for Manchester United.

The form of the United and England captain has come under scrutiny following the team's recent poor run of results.

United lost three successive games, to Manchester City, Feyenoord and Watford, before their midweek win at Northampton in the EFL Cup.

Some observers have questioned whether 30-year-old Rooney, who is just three goals short of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time United record of 249, is still worth his place in the side.

But asked about the critics, Rooney said: "I think I've had that my whole career - a little bit more of late, I think, but that's football.

"I listen to my coaches and my team-mates, the people around me, and I don't really listen to what a lot of people out there are saying because a lot of it is rubbish.

"I have to focus, work hard, of course, and I've done that throughout my career. I've worked hard and tried to do my best for the team."

There has also been debate about Rooney's best position. Former manager Louis van Gaal sometimes deployed Rooney in a midfield role but new boss Jose Mourinho prefers to have him further forward.

Rooney said: "I've done that (played in different positions) throughout my career. I feel I can play in all positions but I think the manager has made it clear either I'll play up front or in the number 10 (role) and that's where he sees me playing."

United were largely outplayed by City in the recent derby, despite a final scoreline of 2-1, and the side from the Etihad Stadium have made a superb start to the season.

Rooney, however, is relishing the prospect of another derby clash next month after the sides were drawn in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

He said: "For me, I think it's the perfect draw. With what happened in the league, it's a chance for us to get revenge for that result."

Meanwhile, Ander Herrera hopes United's "very bad week" was just a blip after ending a miserable run with the timely victory at Northampton.

Looking ahead to tomorrow's home Premier League clash against reigning champions Leicester, the Spanish midfielder said: "Now we are going to think about keep winning more and more games.

"We want to think it was a very bad week and now we can face Leicester in a different way, more positive.

"Hopefully we can win and we can keep being in the high (parts) of the table."

Herrera was one of the nine United changes at Sixfields and staked his claim for a regular starting berth with a solid display, striking the post from distance before finding the net with a thunderous effort.

"I try to shoot when I can play, when I can help the team," he added.