Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney is overweight according to former defender Paul Parker

Wayne Rooney is overweight according to former Manchester United defender Paul Parker. 

Rooney scored against Bournemouth in United's season opener but his performance wasn't met with great appreciation from Man U supporters as he gave a number of passes away and didn't seem at the races.

Paul Parker, speaking exclusively to 888sport, believes the skipper will be playing for his future this season and needs to overcome the issues of his weight.

“This is a defining season for Rooney. It’s no longer about him breaking records but finishing his career at Manchester United. He needs to show his worth and that he deserves to be in the team and not just because of marketing.”

“As much as people appreciate what he’s done over the years and how many goals he’s scored football is about now and being judged on now. If someone had only heard of Wayne Rooney but seen him now they’d think ‘Who is this fella? He’s overweight and slow. That shot was terrible, and it looks like he can’t move or shift his body quick enough.’'

Jose Mourinho has assured Rooney that he is certainly in his plans for this season and sees him as an asset to his squad as well as a natural leader of the team.

However Rooney has shown signs that in the last year his body has already taken the toll of a gruelling football career that started when he was 16.

In general football terms Rooney has already had the career span that perhaps a player over 30 would have had had he broken in to the Everton side later than 16.

It may appear Rooney has already peaked and is vastly coming to the end of his footballing prowess having burst on to the scene so young.

His pace has clearly gone whilst other players his age are still in fine form because they have not been playing at the top for as long as the United captain.

Parker went on to give his views on what the season might hold for Mourinho and Manchester United as the club look to improve under the Portuguese.

''They still need a forward and a centre-half and another midfield player. Manchester United aren’t finished yet; they can’t be because that present squad just isn’t going to win the league and Mourinho is all about winning the league.”

“Would you say United can even finish top four after what we saw in the Bournemouth game? I’d have to say not really. Liverpool look good and Arsenal will improve. Tottenham and Chelsea are hard to break down and will be in there. So United have some work to do between now and the end of August to bring in at least three players to guarantee a Champions League spot and maybe win the league.”