Nani has backed Wayne Rooney to hit peak form in the coming days at Manchester United.
Rooney has been struggling with his goal-scoring form as his only goal of the season so far came against Bournemouth in United's Premier League 2016/17 opener. Despite starting for United in all their games, the skipper has failed to repay the faith manager Jose Mourinho has had in him.
The England international was switched from the midfield role, in which he was playing at the end of last season under Louis Van Gaal, to a further forward role under Mourinho. However, Rooney seems to have not found a comfortable position yet.
He came up with another lacklustre show in United's 3-1 win in the EFL Cup third round tie against Northampton Town on 21 September despite playing upfront. Rooney's ineffective displays are being questioned after his team suffered three consecutive defeats including Premier League losses to Manchester City and Watford and Europa League humiliation at Feyenoord.
However, the former Manchester United winger believes Rooney still has a chance to improve.
"Rooney is a special player. Strong, fantastic quality, shooting, vision - very intelligent. I enjoyed playing with him. He is a player who is a big part of Man United," Nani told Omnisport, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
"He has a chance to improve that and build his story. If he continues to play at high level he can become the best there."
Reacting to his critics, Rooney himself said he only needed to listen to his coaches and teammates and not to what people talk of him. It will be interesting to see whether Mourinho will start with the 30-year-old in Satruday's Premier League clash against defending champions Leicester City.
"Yeah, I think I have had that my whole career – a little bit more of late, I think, but that's football. I listen to my coaches and my team-mates, the people around me, and I don't really listen to what a lot of people out there are saying because a lot of it is rubbish," Rooney told United's official website.
"I have to focus, work hard, of course, and I have done that throughout my career. I've worked hard and tried to do my best for the team."
