Former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson says Wayne Rooney's stunning form for Manchester United this season has come with a new maturity.

Eriksson is convinced the kid who burst on to the international scene as a wild 17 year old has finally learned how to control his on-field temper.

And the Swede insisted to The Sun: "Wayne was a great player for England four years ago but now he is even better.

"He is much more mature, a lot calmer and he is going into this World Cup on the back of a fantastic season for Manchester United.

"I gave Wayne his England debut seven years ago and even then he could play right, left, second striker or up front on his own. But now he is playing as a true centre-forward for Manchester United and that is where he needs to play. Today he is a proper No 9.

"He is still only 24 but has already played in two major international tournaments.

"And he will be a much better player for his experiences at the last World Cup."