Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney feels the relationship between the media and the England squad can be improved.

Rooney touched on such peaks and troughs upon receiving the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award on Sunday evening, but hopes bridges can be built between players and media for the betterment of the national team.

"The younger players now have to understand that the media are a massive part of football," the England and United captain said.

"I have seen first-hand since becoming captain of United and England, players have to realise that the media has a huge influence on the game, and especially on the young England players, they are the ones who have to go out and perform under the huge pressures.

"It is tough and I feel it is sometimes unfair, sometimes it is right, so the one thing, for me, that should happen - at this moment in time there is a huge gap between the media and the players.

"I think the quicker both media and the players need to come together and meet in the middle, the better it will be for English football."