Ex-England captain David Beckham backs Manchester United's Wayne Rooney to hit top form

David Beckham believes former England team-mate Wayne Rooney will continue to defy the critics.

Rooney became England's record goalscorer last month, but his form at United has been patchy since the start of the season.

The 29-year-old has found the net just once in the Premier League, but Beckham is confident Rooney will soon be among the goals at his former club.

"I don't think you can ever write off a player that's scored the number of goals he has for England and Manchester United," said Beckham.

"Being the player he is and has been over the years, you can never write off someone like that.

"Players like that can always make you eat your words."

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Rooney started the season as United's main striker, but Louis van Gaal has shifted his skipper into the number 10 role since Anthony Martial joined from Monaco.

The United manager deployed Rooney as a central midfielder at times last term, and that is where Beckham believes the England captain is destined to end his career.

Beckham reckons Rooney will follow the path of another United favourite, Ryan Giggs, who altered his role in the latter stages of his career.

He's an out-and-out goalscorer, but I think at the end of the day with Wayne, he's proved he can step into the midfield and play.

"I think when you get older, you have to adapt your play. Ryan Giggs was a prime example," Beckham said.

"He got to a certain age and then he dropped into midfield a lot more and played that central role. I think Wayne will do the same.

"He's an out-and-out goalscorer, but I think at the end of the day with Wayne, he's proved he can step into the midfield and play.

"If you're comfortable on the ball, as players such as Wayne and Giggsy are you can do that."

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