Should United be worried about Rooney's lack of form?

One of the biggest disappointments of England's World Cup was the performance of Wayne Rooney.

The striker is a talisman for club and country and, although he wasn't alone in being well under par in South Africa, it was worrying to see someone of his immense ability struggle so badly. After all, the World Cup 2010 odds made him one of the favourites to be top score, but he never looked in danger of finding the net.

David James said it was tight marking by defenders that saw Rooney struggle, with opposition players earmarking him as a threat and making sure there were three players around him at every opportunity.

But Rooney has been used to that sort of attention for years, why has it now become an issue? To me he looked unfit and low on confidence.

I think this is down to a long gruelling season with Man United, who at times relied solely on his goals to drag them to victory. An ankle injury suffered at Bayern Munich, compounded by a rushed early comeback, didn't help either and you have to wonder how much the injury was bothering him.

The confidence issue, on the other hand, is down to the rumblings of discontent within the England dressing room. Thomas Mueller, the young German who ran rings round England last Sunday, suggested that there were "too many chiefs and not enough Indians" in the England dressing room.

A clash of egos is certainly conceivable looking at the big name players in the squad. Life in a split dressing room can't be good for any player.

But, now the World Cup adventure is over and the players are set to return to club duty, will this nightmare three weeks have a long term affect on Rooney?

He failed to score for the remainder of United's season after the Munich injury so his poor form isn't restricted to international duty. The Premier League 2010/11 betting odds suggest the Red Devils are in with a chance of winning title, but Rooney will need to find his scoring boots.

United fans will hope a well earned break followed by a few quiet words from Sir Alex Ferguson within the confines of experienced and largely harmonious dressing room, will coax the best out the striker again.