Wayne Rooney Hits Back at Critics of His Manchester United Form, Eyes Newcastle

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has fired back at those criticising his early-season form and says he is looking forward to turning things around against Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Englishman has been restored to a central striking role this season, after spending much of last year in midfield or behind the likes of Robin van Persie, but is yet to score in his three outings and has generally underperformed.

According to David McDonnell of the Mirror, he said: 

"

I've had one bad game this season, and everyone’s all over it. I know I've had that all throughout my career, but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark.

I'm an honest guy, I know when I haven't played well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards and I know that.

I think, obviously, I lost the ball too easily a lot of times and I'm aware of that. It's not a game I'll want to look back on [fondly] but you have games like that.

It happened, it's football and you have to move on. It would be nice to get off the mark.

"

Up next for United is a home fixture against Newcastle, which could be the perfect game for Rooney to rediscover his goalscoring touch, having failed to find the net since early April.

The Magpies struggled in their last match as they lost 2-0 to Swansea City, and with Newcastle defender Daryl Janmaat sent off before half-time, they were fortunate not to concede more.

Furthermore, Rooney has an outstanding record against the Toon, having scored 12 Premier League goals against them.

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He added: "I did [have a good record] against Aston Villa as well! No, I enjoy playing against Newcastle, so hopefully on Saturday I can get off the mark."

One of Rooney's critics is former Chelsea and Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit, who believes the Englishman is better suited to a role in attacking midfield. Per McDonnell, he said: 

"

You can see the team does not have a proper striker.

Wayne Rooney? He is not a real striker. Rooney wants to be involved in the play, but he cannot be the only man up front.

Against [Club] Brugge, in a way he was struggling, but only because of the position he was put in. As a result, we have to conclude that, as long as Rooney is in that position, the team are playing without a real striker.

"

Simon Jones of the Daily Mail reports that United have been linked with Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann as the club bids to improve their relatively limited array of forward options.

Both players are versatile and can operate centrally or out wide, and they have the potential to add plenty of goals and assists to United's team with their incisive play and clinical finishing.

Regardless of Rooney's ability to lead the line for the Red Devils, it's clear that he can't bear the burden of scoring United's goals by himself.

Expect United to pursue another forward before the transfer window slams shut.

As for Saturday, Rooney stands an excellent chance of returning to form against a vulnerable Newcastle defence.