Rooney must turn into a midfielder, says Beckham

LONDON — Wayne Rooney must reinvent himself as a midfielder to prolong his career at the highest level and emerge from his form slump, says former England team-mate and skipper David Beckham, despite backing the Manchester United and England captain.

The 29-year-old Rooney has struggled to produce his best form for club and country this season, leading to a growing clamour among United supporters for the forward to be dropped.

Although Rooney surpassed Bobby Charlton’s record of 49 goals last month to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 50 goals, his two international goals this season have come from penalties, while his goal for United against Sunderland last month — his 235th for the Red Devils — ended a personal 1,000-minute Premier League goal drought.

However, Beckham insisted that it was too early to write Rooney’s football obituary due to his ability to evolve his game.

“I think when you get older, you have to adapt your play,” he said.

“Giggsy (Ryan Giggs) was a prime example. He got to a certain age and then he dropped into midfield a lot more and played that central role. I think Wayne will do the same. He is an out-and-out goalscorer, but he’s proved he can step into the midfield and play.

“If you’re comfortable on the ball, as players such as Wayne and Giggsy are, you can do that.

“But I don’t think you can ever write off a player who has scored the number of goals Wayne has for England and Manchester United. Players like that can always make you eat your words.” AGENCIES