Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he has spoken to Wayne Rooney and told the struggling England striker to relax and enjoy the World Cup.

Rooney has looked in poor form during England's disappointing 1-1 draw with the USA and dire goalless stalemate against Algeria as Fabio Capello's side have struggled in South Africa.

Rooney scored over 30 goals for Manchester United last season but does not appear to have recovered from the injuries that blighted him in the last few weeks of the domestic campaign.

Ferguson told The Sun:"Sometimes the expectation can be debilitating. I had that feeling. I spoke to Wayne Rooney and just said, 'relax and enjoy it.'

"I just sensed there was a tension in and around the camp from what I was hearing.

"I didn't watch the Algeria game, I was out with friends, but I just get a feeling that the expectation is affecting the England team.

"It's been a disappointing World Cup, but I had a feeling it would be. I have been disappointed with the quality levels, I haven't been impressed at all.

"The season we have in Europe, particularly in England, is tough.

"The players met up about three to four days after the season finished and they have been together for most of that time, after a long, hard season.

"It's a real task to ask players to perform at the best level they can achieve after the season in England."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email