Moyes wrapping Rooney in cotton wool for new season

FIVE England caps and no goals. You were maybe left wondering what all the fuss was about.

Wayne Rooney, not 18 until October, survived his first season in the professional ranks and under the glare of the national spotlight. However, his club manager David Moyes appears to have been right to say too much was asked too soon.

Despite all the massive hype and the determination of Sven-Goran Eriksson to utilise his young star's talents at every opportunity, Rooney in the end has still played less than three full games for England, in terms of minutes on the pitch. He probably only had a major influence on one game the Turkey match in April where he stayed on until the 89th minute.