Wayne: Young Storm Unfair

Wayne Rooney feels team-mate Ashley Young has endured rough treatment from the press merely because he plays for Manchester United.

The Reds winger has been branded a diver in some quarters after being involved in two contentious penalty decisions in the past fortnight.

"I think that whenever anything happens with any United players it gets more press than players from other teams," Rooney told MUTV.

"It's difficult for forwards. At times you are trying to get out of the way of getting kicked and people just think you've dived.

"Obviously no one likes to see [diving] in the game, but the game is so quick these days it's difficult for referees to get some of these decisions right."

Rooney, who was nominated this week for the PFA Player of the Year award, admits United, five points clear with four games to play, are in pole position in the title race.

"It's a great position to be in," he said. "Especially after City went a few points ahead of us and we had to keep fighting to stay in touch with them.

"We have to make sure we do our job right from now until the end of the season and to retain the title."