Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson says Wayne Rooney deserves more respect

Rooney, who left Manchester United for Everton over the summer, recently called time on his international career, snubbing a recall to Gareth Southgate’s squad in doing so.

The 31-year-old became England’s leading scorer and second highest capped player in his 119 appearances.

But the striker’s Three Lions career was blighted with criticism and controversy and will be looked back on with mixed feelings.

And Eriksson, who worked with Rooney during his five-year stint with England, believes the United legend should be held in higher regard.

The Swede told the Daily Mail: “The treatment of Wayne Rooney told me something about the way England fans view the national team.

"He's the record goalscorer for both Manchester United and England: you can't argue with that.

"If Rooney had been Italian, he would have been loved like Francesco Totti was at Roma.

"You don't criticise Totti in Italy. There might have been reasons to, sometimes, but you don't touch him.

Sven-Goran Eriksson and Wayne Rooney during their time together with England

"It isn't like that with Wayne and England but I can tell you that he had to be dragged away from training because he loved to play and practice so much."

Without Rooney, England booked their place in next summer’s World Cup with a dull 1-0 win over Slovenia at Wembley last Thursday.

Southgate’s side claimed another win away to Lithuania last night and are now looking ahead to international friendlies against Germany and Brazil next month.