Source: Daily_Mail
Capello does not care about the pressure on Rooney at United so long as he delivers for England
Fabio Capello does not care if the pressure is on Wayne Rooney to deliver for Manchester United - as long as he maintains the level of his recent performances for England.
With Cristiano Ronaldo now at Real Madrid, there are expectations on Rooney to lead the way at Old Trafford - and the 23-year-old has already stepped up with four goals this season.
All eyes will be on Rooney to replace Ronaldo as United's spark, but Capello said: 'This is Sir Alex's problem.'
Capello has brought the best out of Rooney at international level, the forward scoring 10 goals in his last eight games before this week's friendly against Slovenia and the World Cup qualifier against Croatia.
Rooney suffered a freak training-ground injury and missed the clash against Slaven Bilic's men almost two years ago, when defeat led to failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
Capello has turned England's fortunes around, and Rooney has played a huge part.
'Rooney is a really important player, he's incredible and young - he can improve a lot with more experience and confidence in himself,' the Italian added.
Full-back Ashley Cole believes the England team have matured since Croatia's last trip to Wembley.
'We've all grown up,' said Cole.
Fabio Capello
Capello will be hoping Rooney can do the business as England look to exorcise the ghost of Steve McClaren with victory over Croatia at Wembley
'We've started to realise that this World Cup finals could be our last tournament. I've got good young players coming up in my position, so I know there is pressure. I have to focus and make sure I do well. I think it's the same for a lot of players.
'I think the England team is quite set in the players that play too - we're not chopping and changing all the time. The manager knows his team and the squad he'll take if we get there. He knows the way we'll play and the lads he'll pick.
'It feels settled, and people are starting to come into their own. Wayne Rooney, for instance, is playing very well - and we hope we can all play well up to end of the season and then do something very special with England in South Africa.'
Cole, after missing the defeat to Croatia that marked the end of Steve McClaren's reign, added: 'It was difficult to take at the time. It's never nice when you're sitting on the bench.
Jermain Defoe
Hot shot: Jermain Defoe bagged a brace in England's last clash against Holland
'I know it happens to everyone - but even so. You're just sitting there and watching us going goals down and conceding goals. It was hard to watch.
'We have to learn from that. If you don't perform on the day you can get turned over. We know how big the game is for us this time - they will want to come to Wembley and beat us again.'
Capello was encouraged by the recent comeback against Holland, when Jermain Defoe's goals earned a draw, but is looking to eradicate the mistakes that led to falling behind.
'We have time to work with the back four and also improve the movement when we have to defend,' he said.
'The priority is to recover the spirit. I think it will be really important to start like we finished in Holland.'
