Mark Lawrenson is of the opinion that Wayne Rooney is struggling at the moment because he burst on to the scene at a very tender age, with the Liverpool legend comparing the Manchester United star to ex-Reds striker Michael Owen.
Rooney, who used to be a prolific goalscorer, has struggled for consistency in recent years and the England international has often been deployed in a deeper role for both his club and country.
The 30-year-old was dropped from England’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia last week, while he has also lost his place in Manchester United’s starting line-up.
Rooney made his professional debut as a teenager, similar to Owen, who retired aged 33 after injuries curtailed his career.
And Lawrenson, who thinks Rooney is still a very talented player, believes the former Everton striker’s career is on the decline as he started so soon.
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“Basically, when your legs go, your legs go. He [Rooney] is still a very, very talented player, but if you can't get around the pitch you've got to find a position where you want to play”, he was quoted as saying by ITV.
“He'll play lots of games for Manchester United, they're not suddenly going to go, 'Your legs have gone, you're going to sign for someone else'.
“But he's had an unbelievable career. Sometimes, it's a bit like Michael Owen.
"Michael Owen burst on to the scene when he was really young, as did Wayne Rooney, he was 16 when he scored that wonder goal against Arsenal.
"Maybe that's just your career.
“For him, I think the reason why he's coming to the end early is because he was a beast of a man when he was 16, as he is now.
"That's just the way it is. It's a bit like tennis players, some go from 18 until their 25, some get to their thirties.
"It's just your career.”
Rooney, who has 118 caps and 53 goals for England, has scored one goal in 11 appearances in all competitions for Manchester United this season.
