No fear for Rooney

Wayne Rooney has rejected suggestions that England played with “fear” during their draw with the United States in their World Cup opener.

Captain Steven Gerrard had given England a dream start in Rustenburg by giving them a fourth-minute lead but a howler from keeper Robert Green allowed Clint Dempsey to equalise as Fabio Capello’s side made an unimpressive start to their bid for World Cup glory.

The Americans, including Dempsey, have since accused England of being nervous and fearful during Saturday’s game, but Rooney said: “They only had two or three shots from distance and they had only one good chance to score so I don’t think there was any fear from us as we took the game to them.”

England now face a must-win clash with Algeria on Friday and Rooney is confident that England will bounce back from Saturday’s disappointment.

He said: “We started very well (on Saturday) and we deserved to win and overall we did enough to win the game, but unfortunately we didn’t. But I am sure we will take three points on Friday.”

There is a huge amount of pressure on the Manchester United forward, with many seeing his performances and goals as key to England’s hopes of a first World Cup triumph since 1966, and he admits he will be looking to improve on his personal display against the United States in Cape Town on Friday.

He said: “We have players who can score goals for us, but for us to do well I need to play a bit better than I did and score goals. But I don’t feel under any pressure, as long as the team does well.”

Franz Beckenbauer's criticism of England's performance against the United States was stinging, but Rooney indicated it had been brushed off by the squad.

German great Beckenbauer argued that England “have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush”.

Rooney said: “He’s entitled to his opinion. We don’t really listen to what he has to say.

“He can say what he wants and think what he wants.

“But we certainly don’t play kick and run, so we don’t really take notice of his comments.”

Rooney has welcomed the return to full fitness of Gareth Barry.

The Manchester City midfielder is ready to play again after recovering from the ankle ligament injury which had at one stage threatened his chances of making the World Cup trip.

Rooney said: “We know what a player he is. He can sit and hold for us, keep the ball and he’s good in possession.

“So he’s a different option if the manager decides to choose him.”

Rooney has scored just once in his last eight capped internationals, but is far from concerned.

“I’m happy to be playing,” he said. “I would like to score, don’t get me wrong, but if I’m not scoring I will keep working until I do. So I don’t worry.”

The 24-year-old was criticised after being booked for apparently swearing at the referee during England’s warm-up match against the Platinum Stars, but defended his disciplinary record in competitive games for England.

Rooney is confident boss Capello trusts in him to behave on the pitch.

“He hasn’t mentioned anything to me about discipline,” Rooney said. “My discipline is perfectly fine.

“The last time I got booked for England was two or three years ago.”

The new Jabulani football has come under fire from several teams, and Rooney admits England are still learning to play with it.

“We’re starting to get used to it after about three weeks,” he said.

“I imagine it must be a nightmare for goalkeepers but for forward players it’s an advantage I feel.

“We’re getting used to it every day that goes by.

“Hopefully that’ll help the forwards and midfielders to score more goals in the tournament.”

Rooney hopes the standard of the games improves after watching several disappointing performances so far.

“To be honest all the games I’ve watched haven’t been all that exciting so I’m hoping it gets a bit more exciting,” he said.

Rooney dismissed the clamour for England coach Fabio Capello to name his line-up earlier than the normal two hours before kick-off.

He said: “It’s the same at club level, at club level we find out two hours before kick-off so it’s no different.”

Although disappointed not to beat the United States in the opening game Rooney was not too despondent with the 1-1 draw.

He added: “I think it’s important not to lose the first game, although we were in a good position to win the game. A draw wasn’t the worst result in the world.”