Wayne Rooney Hits Back at Critics After Manchester United Goal at Everton

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney took a shot at his critics after scoring in the Red Devils' 3-0 win over Everton on Saturday, ending a scoring drought away from home that started 11 months ago.

As reported by Ian Ladyman for the Daily Mail, the England international claimed the perceived drought was a fabrication from the press to begin with when he was asked about it, saying:

"

It depends what the press thinks, they call it what they like. What matters is what my manager and team-mates think.

Criticism does nothing at all.

I'm a strong man, I've had it throughout my career. I just have to keep working hard and try to help the team be successful.

"

Per Ladyman, it was Rooney's first away goal in the Premier League since November of last year, during the 2-1 win over Arsenal. He's scored just two Premier League goals so far this season, per WhoScored.com, and has come under fire for his lack of success in the attacking third.

Football writer Liam is one of many who believes the 29-year-old does too little on the pitch to warrant a guaranteed position as a starter:

As shared by Squawka Football, Rooney's goal moved him into second place on the Premier League's all-time scoring charts, level with Andrew Cole and 73 goals behind Alan Shearer.

Given his scoring history―he hasn't crossed the 20-goal mark since the 2011-12 campaign, per WhoScored.com―he faces a real challenge catching up with Shearer, although he still has time on his side. But even if he never makes it to the top spot, he will have had the type of career any forward would be jealous of, per Mark Ogden of the Daily Telegraph:

With that said, it's hard to deny the former Everton star hasn't looked himself for some time now, and with Anthony Martial emerging as a top striker well before most thought he would be ready, the discussion of whether Rooney still deserves to start every week should continue.

He remains one of the most uniquely gifted forwards, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or making an impact further up the pitch, but consistency has been such a big issue that it's right to wonder whether someone like Ander Herrera would do a better job starting in midfield or Martial is a more efficient weapon in front of goal.

One away goal isn't going to change that, and while Louis van Gaal and United fans alike are probably hoping the goal will spark a run of strong performances for Rooney, recent history suggests it won't. Don't expect those critics to quiet down after one good showing at Goodison Park.

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