Rooney warns United about Carroll threat

Tuesday, November 27, 2012
4:22 PM

Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to pay special attention to Andy Carroll tomorrow night.

Carroll is bound to get a frosty reception from the Old Trafford faithful when West Ham travel north tomorrow night.

As a Liverpool player with an enormous price tag, it is hard to imagine the United fans will not single him out.

However, after working alongside the 23-year-old at close quarters during Euro 2012, Rooney knows the reality of Carroll’s performances is nowhere near the perception many have of him.

The burly forward will travel north with confidence high following his first goal of the season at Tottenham on Sunday.

And Rooney has warned his United team-mates to be on their guard.

“Andy Carroll is a handful,” said the striker.

“I am sure if you ask any defender, they find it difficult to play against someone like that who is good in the air and on the floor.

“He is physical and makes it hard for opponents.

“That type of player doesn’t always get all the goals but they can cause trouble up front and create problems.

“I am sure that is what Sam Allardyce wants him to do.”

Rather like Rooney, Carroll is like a lightning conductor for attention.

It seems he cannot have a quiet game, when he blends into the background.

He has to either be sensational or rubbish, with the brutal assessment often falling on the latter.

Rooney knows from personal experience such situations are never quite so black and white.

However, he accepts they come with the territory.

“It is something you get used to,” he said.

“In the Premier League, you are there to be judged, whether that is good or bad.

“You just have to deal with it.”