“I always remember what Sir Alex Ferguson says about Eric Cantona”

Wayne Rooney has claimed he wants to be as influential for England as Eric Cantona was for Manchester United, and feels under no pressure despite the heavy scrutiny he is under.

It’s been a long time since Rooney burst onto the international scene, and the striker believes he is now an senior player.

Despite previous transgressions including kicking out at an opponent, an incident that saw him miss the majority of Euro 2012, Rooney claims he has no problems with being in the spotlight for England:

“I hope it is time for me to show I am a senior player and that I can lead the team. I understand the scrutiny I’m under and I have no problems with that.”

With many younger players in Roy Hodgeson’s England squad, Rooney feels he is ready to advise some of the younger players and feels he can be the talisman for the team the way Cantona was for United, as he told reporters:

“It’s especially important now, when we have a lot of young players in the squad. I always try to speak to them and offer advice.

“I always remember what Sir Alex Ferguson says about how Eric Cantona was such a big help to the younger players at United. It is something I can look at and try do for England, to try to help them. Hopefully I can bring the best out of them and they can bring the best out of me as well.”