Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney's personality is a "throw back" to when young players were mentally tougher.
Ferguson admits he enjoys working with the England star because of his temperament.
He said: "His temperament has improved. He's not rushing about doing silly things. He's maturing well in that way and it's great to see that. He's a fantastic boy. He'd give you anything. He'd give you his last penny. He's that type. He's generous in everything.
"He's a one-off in terms of the modern type of fragile player we're getting today, cocooned by their agents, mothers and fathers, psychologists, welfare officers.
"Rooney is a cut to the old days. He's a throwback. I don't think he has any inhibitions about that. He knows what he is."
Ferguson revealed Rooney likes to second-guess him over team selection.
He said: "He's the best at asking, 'What's the team?' I say, 'You're not playing'. He says, 'Come on, give me your team'. I say, 'No, I won't, I'm still thinking about it'. Then he says, 'I'll give you my team'. He's never far wrong. He knows the game."