Van der Sar believes the Three Lions have the wrong attitude.
Former Manchester United and Netherlands star Edwin Van der Sar thinks that the England national team put too much pressure on Wayne Rooney.
Rooney has scored just one goal at a major tournament since his announcement on the international stage at Euro 2004.
The 27-year-old netted four goals at the competition in Portugal but has been criticised in recent times for not living up to his potential – scoring just once in a major tournament since then.
Yet Van der Sar believes that England’s downfall is the pressure they put on the striker and that they should shine the spotlight somewhere else.
“There has been so much pressure on him and that is where England goes wrong,” the former Netherlands international told the BBC.
“Maybe for him it has been a lesser season, especially the last couple of games he didn’t play, but he is still a really important player for United.”
Rooney has been strongly linked with a move away from Old Trafford after retiring manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that the forward had put in a transfer request.
Currently it seems that French champions Paris Saint-Germain are leading the race to secure the England international, yet Van der Sar thinks it’s important for the Red Devils to hold onto the striker.
Rooney is fifth on the all-time goal-scoring list for the Three Lions with 35 goals in 82 appearances and he has also scored more times than any other player in the Ferguson era at United.
However, it seems to be becoming increasingly apparent that the forward will not be playing under new boss David Moyes next season.
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