Wayne Rooney 'isn't equipped to play as a lone striker for Manchester United,' says former right-back Paul Parker

Former United player has criticised the England captain

(Getty Images)

Former Manchester United right-back Paul Parker has again hit out at club captain Wayne Rooney after his poor start to the season.

Rooney has recorded only one shot on target in the first two matches of the season - off target at that - and has generally looked out of sorts in the 1-0 wins against Tottenham and Aston Villa.

Parker, writing in his column for Eurosport, is a frequent critic of Rooney, having been unimpressed with his form at times last season as well as the England captain's complaints at the packed Christmas schedule.

The former England right-back, who won three titles, two FA Cups and the League Cup with United in the 1990s, says Louis van Gaal must sign a striker before the transfer window closes.

"It is no exaggeration to say that if Manchester United want to achieve their targets this season, they have to sign a new centre-forward before the transfer window closes," writes Parker. "We are two games into the new Premier League season and Wayne Rooney hasn’t had a single shot on goal yet.

"Rooney’s performance against Aston Villa on Friday was quite alarming as he touched the ball in the box once in 90 minutes... Everything’s looking nice with United’s play until you approach the penalty box and then we have a problem.

Paul Parker (GETTY IMAGES)

"United simply aren’t having enough shots at goal at the moment: they had one shot on target in the opening 1-0 win over Tottenham and just two at Villa."

Parker continues: "Sir Alex questioned whether Rooney could play that centre-forward role and Rooney spat out his dummy in reaction. But it was a searching question which had to be asked. And I don’t think Rooney has provided us with a rebuttal.

"To me the situation is quite simple: Wayne Rooney isn’t equipped to play as a lone centre-forward for a club of Manchester United’s calibre."