Rooney's eyes on World Cup: England star skips training to battle burn-out

12 March 2010 11:48
Wayne Rooney is missing training sessions with Manchester United to ensure he goes to the World Cup in peak condition.[LNB]Rooney, who came face to face with the World Cup trophy in London yesterday, will carry the hopes of the nation when England head for South Africa this summer. [LNB] Golden chance: Rooney likes the look of the World Cup in London[LNB]The 24-year-old has been in such outstanding form for United it has raised fears among England fans that he cannot maintain the same standard right through to June.[LNB]But Rooney has revealed that he has cut down on the amount of training he does at United to ensure hestays fresh.[LNB]VIDEO: Rooney eyes World Cup...He said: 'I am enjoying my football and playing well and managing myself better and that's paying off. I am not doing every training session whereas normally I would train as hard as I can every session.[LNB]'It's not due to my knee but I have played a lot of games this year and it is about reining myself in in training. I am getting a bit older and wiser now.'[LNB] Magical form: Rooney fires his 30th of the season past AC Milan keeper Christian Abbiati[LNB]Rooney stressed he will continue to play for England when he physically can. The striker was criticised by boss Sir Alex Ferguson at the weekend for playing in a friendly against Egypt last week despite carrying a knee injury.[LNB]Rooney missed the subsequent United game at Wolves but returned to action with two goals in Wednesday night's 4-0 defeat of AC Milan at Old Trafford.[LNB] Head start: Rooney is keeping himself fresh for South Africa[LNB]He said: 'I am proud to play for my country and I want to play for them unless I really can't.'[LNB]Rooney has 30 goals in all competitions this season, raising hopes he can surpass Cristiano Ronaldo's 42-goal haul of two years ago.[LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: How Ronaldo's exit turned Rooney into the real dealMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail