ROONEY: STOP DOUBTING ME

United striker hits back after ending his drought

WAYNE ROONEY hit back at critics who have questioned his scoring record after grabbing his first away league goal in 11 months to help Manchester United to a 3-0 win at Everton.

Rooney, England’s record goal– scorer but struggling in the Premier League this season, scored United’s third goal on his return to Goodison Park.

And when asked whether he considered his drought to be over, Rooney said: ‘It depends what the Press thinks, they call it what they like. What matters is what my manager and team-mates think.’

Rooney’s last away league goal was way back on November 22, in a 2-1 win at Arsenal, and his performances this season have been questioned. ‘Criticism does nothing at all,’ he said.

‘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.’ Rooney’s goal, his first at former club Everton since 2007, took his Premier League tally to 187, level with Andy Cole and behind only Alan Shearer in the all-time list.

United manager Louis van Gaal said: ‘You always doubt him. You always say that he can’t score. I am very happy for him. For me it’s not important if he scores. He has to be an attacking point and do his job in our defensive organisation also.

‘But when he scores I’m happy and maybe this is a start of many goals for him. He needed this goal today.’

Van Gaal revealed that yesterday’s emphatic win was in part sparked by the crushing 3-0 defeat at Arsenal on their last outing before the international break.

‘We lost that game in a horrible way and we had a lot of meetings, individual and team meetings,’ said the Dutchman.