Aleksandar Mitrovic says critics 'crazy' to doubt Manchester United star Wayne Rooney

Aleksandar Mitrovic thinks critics are "crazy" to knock Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United and England captain returned to top form during the Red Devils' eye-catching 3-3 draw against Mitrovic's Newcastle United side on 12 January, scoring two goals and setting up another.

The 21-year-old cannot understand the doubts that continue to surround Rooney, England's all-time leading goalscorer. "They are crazy," he said, according to The Mirror. "They are people who don't watch football. If he doesn't score in a few games, then the team don't play well and he cannot play well. You can see on the pitch the way he plays during the whole game, how easily he plays. I think he can play for 10 years more."

Mitrovic is a long-time admirer of Rooney, having grown up watching him play, and has admitted he felt honoured to share the same pitch as the Manchester United star. "It's my second time to play against him and I got his shirt afterwards," he said. "It was really amazing. He is a legend and he has scored so many goals. For me it is alway nice and I'm very proud to have the chance to play against him. You can see on the pitch how easily he moves. He is a very good player."

Mitrovic said he has always aspired to be like the Manchester United striker. "I hope maybe one day I can be like Wayne Rooney. Maybe then some young players will be proud to play against me. That would be amazing," he explained.

Rooney had come in for criticism in recent months due to his lack of goals. However, the 30-year-old striker has found the net four times in his last three matches, which has included winning goals against Swansea City and Sheffield United.