Rooney still years from peak: Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is still years from reaching his peak after seeing the Manchester United striker rediscover his touch in front of goal in recent weeks.

The England star, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on Oct 24, has scored five goals in his last four games for club and country after netting just one goal in eight games in the early stages of the season.

Rooney's performance during England's World Cup qualifying victory against Belarus in Minsk in midweek was arguably the forward's most impressive for his country since Euro 2004.

But despite the high praise that Rooney has received since netting twice against Belarus, Ferguson is convinced that he will not produce his best until he has reached his mid-20's.

Ferguson said: “Players always develop their maturity in their mid-20's and you are still seeing that with Wayne. He is getting more consistency and creating more scoring chances.

“His goals have often come in bursts in the past, but once he gets into his mid-20's, he will get more consistency to his scoring in that he will start to score goals when he isn't playing so well.

“In the past, the likes of Gary Lineker would never get involved in the game, yet walk off having scored two goals.

“Some players can't accept that, though. They have to play well all the time and Wayne has that mindset at the moment. It's all a question of maturity.”

Ferguson claims that the arrival at Old Trafford of Dimitar Berbatov from Spurs last month has also helped Rooney.

Ferguson said: “Everyone is benefiting from Dimitar at the moment. His ability in the last third is terrific and his movement and passing in our last game at Blackburn was terrific. His arrival has certainly helped Wayne.”

United face West Brom at Old Trafford on Saturday with England midfielders Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves still sidelined through injury.

Carrick has returned to training this week, but Ferguson fears that the former Spurs and West Ham man will not be fit in time for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Celtic at Old Trafford.

He said: “Michael is doing some good training at the moment, but I think the Celtic game is too early for him.

“Owen Hargreaves is still having problems with his tendinitis and Paul Scholes is obviously out for a couple of months with his knee injury.

“But Ryan Giggs has trained all week while the international lads have been away and he is guaranteed to play against West Brom on Saturday.”