Rooney Most Under Appreciated Player in England

MANCHESTER - This Manchester United forward is the most under-appreciated player in English football. This statement says former Wales international, Robbie Savage.

Wayne Rooney is the record goal-scorer for both United and England.

But the 31 year old has started only 22 games this season and has hinted he may have to leave Old Trafford this summer in order to ensure first-team football.

"He gets hammered and yet he is Manchester United's and England's top scorer," Savage told BBC Radio 5 live.

"He is a professional, his work ethic is very good, you can see his temperament is still the same. When he gets a decision against him, he goes berserk. That is the same old Wayne Rooney. The bottom line is that age and not playing regular games is catching up with him. He is not the player he was. But he is the most under-appreciated footballer we have seen in English football," he added.

Rooney has been at Manchester United for 13 years, since joining from Everton for £27m in August 2004. He has won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup, three League Cups and the Club World Cup during his time at Old Trafford.