Rooney Backing For Welbeck

Wayne Rooney has backed his Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck who has recently been criticised for not scoring enough goals.

The 22-year-old forward has netted just a single goal for his club this season and will join up with the England squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly international against Brazil at Wembley.

Welbeck could even start for Roy Hodgson's team in midweek following injuries to Tottenham's Jermain Defoe and Liverpool'sDaniel Sturridge.

With Robin van Persie moving to Old Trafford last summer, Welbeck has not started as many games as he would have liked this season - certainly as the main striker - but Rooney believes he has made an enormous contribution to the team.

He said: "Everyone labels him as a striker, which I have had at times when I have played in different positions.

"Then someone says I haven't scored for eight games when I hadn't played up front.

"Danny has been out wide a lot this season. He works hard and brings a lot of energy to the team.

"He is a great player and his time will come when he gets that run up front. Then I am sure he will score goals."