Our World Cup rivals will be scared to face Wayne Rooney, insists Michael Carrick

Tom Collomosse
8 Oct 2009

Michael Carrick believes the best defenders in the game are having nightmares about facing Wayne Rooney at the World Cup.

Manchester United striker Rooney has made a superb start to the season for club and country, scoring eight goals in 14 games and displaying a growing maturity that suggests he can be England's talisman in South Africa next year.

Midfielder Carrick sees every week just how devastating his club-mate can be and is warning England's rivals for the trophy that Rooney is ready to make the biggest stage his own.

He said: "Defenders will be scared of coming up against Wayne - and understandably so. He is a big threat and hopefully he'll be fit, firing and raring to go.

"Wayne is world class. The goals have been flying in for him but he brings a lot more than that.

"We saw him burst on to the stage in Euro 2004 and you look at how he has progressed since then. It is all building towards him doing very well next summer and I am sure he will."

Despite his undoubted quality, Rooney is still rarely mentioned in the same bracket as Lionel Messi, Kaka and former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who are considered the top players in the world.

Ronaldo's departure for Real Madrid at the end of last season has allowed Rooney to emerge from the Portuguese's shadow during the current campaign and his form has improved ever since.

And with both Ronaldo and Argentina ace Messi struggling to ensure their countries qualify for the tournament, the attention on Rooney could be greater than ever but Carrick is convinced he will thrive under such pressure.

The former Tottenham player said: "You would have to put Wayne up there with the best players in the world.

"You can understand why those players are talked about. Ronaldo was brilliant over the last couple of years and Messi came into it last season but hopefully it will be Wayne's turn this season. It would probably surprise people to hear it but if you see Wayne before a game, he is very relaxed.

"He is often messing about but on the pitch it's a different story."

Carrick is keen to strengthen his claims for a place on the plane to South Africa after struggling to make a real impact during Fabio Capello's time in charge.

The 28-year-old is still behind Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry in the race for a central midfield berth. He said: "Hopefully I will get a chance in these games against Ukraine and Belarus."