Wayne Rooney has played down concerns that he may not be fully fit for this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa.
The England striker came off early during Manchester United’s last game of the Premier League season with a groin problem.
However, the 24-year-old insists that his departure was simply precautionary that he was substituted after 77 minutes.
“I’m fine. I went off on Sunday,” he told Sky Sports News. “The game was won.
“My groin hadn’t been right. For a few weeks it was tight. There was no need for me to continue in the game.
“I feel good now. I’m fine. I need to get a few more training sessions in before I play but that’ll come when we meet up.”
Rooney carries a huge burden as England’s great hope in South Africa, but he insists he can cope with the expectation.
“I’ve been under pressure and in the spotlight since I made by debut with Everton when I was 16,” he continued.
“That’s not really something that affects me. I know that if I do well then England have got a great chance of doing well.
“We’ve got a lot of match-winners in our team and some good players, so it’s not just on me. It’s on the rest of the team to do well for us.
Rooney was presented with the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award on Thursday.
“It is a privilege to be given this award by the Football Writers’ Association,” said Rooney, who scored 34 goals in all competitions this term.
“I am very proud. If you look at the list of previous winners, they are all great players and for me to be part of that now is a great feeling.”
