Munich - Germany centreback Mats Hummels has come to the defence of under-fire England international Wayne Rooney, saying he believes the Manchester United striker has been criticised too harshly.
Rooney has failed to nail down a regular place under Jose Mourinho and failed to impress in performces for both club and country sof ar this season. Hummels says he has been keeping track of the situation and says public expectations may be unreasonable.
"I don’t like the scrutiny he has been getting," Hummels said. "I’m very aware of it. I am very interested in what is happening in England. How many years has he played for Manchester United now? 12?
"How many years has he been a top player for the English national team? 10? Maybe more? You can’t be at your best all the time."
The 27-year-old has consistently been linked with a move to Manchester, but left Borussia Dortmund for Bundesliga rivals Byaern Munich instead.
Hummels said the only thing that kept him at Dortmund was his relationship with former manager and current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
"Yes, (it was) very close. There were talks, several times in the last few years. I had offers from England or one of the three big Spanish clubs," he says
"But nothing got close like from England. Van Gaal wanted me but he wasn’t the only one. It is difficult for me to play in England now. I’m 28 next month and I’ve signed here for five years."
He went on to heap priase on Klopp, saying that Dortmund "wouldn’t have had that success with another coach".