World Cup 2014: Wayne Rooney claims Paul Scholes comments will have angered Manchester United

Former midfielder said striker was past his peak

Wayne Rooney of England looks on during a press conference (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney claims that Paul Scholes will have angered Manchester United with his comments that the forward might be past his peak.

Rooney, who signed a new five-and-a-half year deal in February, has insisted he is in perfect condition for the World Cup in a defiant response to the comments of his former clubmate.

"I'm sure he's upset a lot of people at United because they see me as worthy of signing a new deal," Rooney said.

"They have obviously got a different opinion to Paul but you will have to ask him about that."

Despite some questioning of his place, Rooney is expected to start for England this Saturday but revealed that he and Scholes have never been close.

"He's been a great player at Manchester United but I've never had his phone number and he's never had mine," said Rooney.

Scholes caused a surprise when he commented that Rooney might be "worn out" having begun his footballing career so young and asked whether the striker deserved his place in the England side.

"It was a bit strange, I'll be honest," said Rooney. "He has his opinions and he's entitled to them.

"He's probably the best player I've ever played with, so I'm not going to knock him as a player, but I don't agree with his point."

The Manchester United forward was also hopeful that England's high-tempo game could cause Italy some problems in their upcoming clash.

He said: "I think Italian defenders I've played against tend to read the game really well. They put themselves in good positions. But when you play a high tempo, they've struggled.

"The Italian league is nowhere near the tempo of the Premier League.

"Even when we played AC Milan, with Alesandro Nesta and Paolo Maldini as centre-halves, they really struggled when we played a high tempo. If we can do that, I'm sure we can give them problems."

Rooney also made assurances that his United teammate Danny Welbeck would be fit for the game.