Wayne Rooney backed by David Beckham to hit back with goals for club and country to silence critics

Although they did not play together at Manchester United, Beckham and Rooney have been close friends for many years due to their involvement with England.

Beckham was captain when Rooney made his international debut 12 years ago and the pair went on to play at two major tournaments together.

Rooney became England’s record goalscorer last month, but his form at United has not been great this season.

The 29-year-old has found the net just once in the Barclays Premier League, but that does not mean he is a fading force, according to Beckham.

“I don’t think you can ever write off a player that’s scored the number of goals he has for England and Manchester United,” said the former United midfielder, who was speaking at a press conference to publicise a charity match for Unicef that he is playing in at Old Trafford.

“Being the player he is and has been over the years, you can never write off someone like that.

“Players like that can always make you eat your words.”

Rooney started the season as United’s main striker, but Louis van Gaal has shifted his captain into the No 10 role since Anthony Martial joined from Monaco.

The United manager deployed Rooney as a central midfielder at times last term, and that is where Beckham believes the England captain is destined to end his career.

Beckham said: “I think when you get older, you have to adapt your play. Ryan Giggs was a prime example.

“He got to a certain age and then he dropped into midfield a lot more and played that central role. I think Wayne will do the same.

“He’s an out-and-out goalscorer, but I think at the end of the day with Wayne, he’s proved he can step into the midfield and play.

“If you’re comfortable on the ball, as players such as Wayne and Giggsy are, you can do that.”

Kyle Walker and Andros Townsend have been called up to the England squad, meanwhile, after John Stones pulled out through injury.

Former Barnsley defender Stones missed the last two Everton games after suffering a knee injury in their Capital One Cup win over Reading.

Roy Hodgson named Stones in his squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Estonia and Lithuania when it was announced last week, but the Football Association confirmed last night that the 21-year-old had withdrawn.

Former Sheffield United defender Walker has not played for England since the 1-1 draw in Italy in March, while Townsend – who enjoyed a brief spell on loan at Leeds United – last featured in the victory over Slovenia four months ago. The FA also confirmed that Rooney, first-time call-up Danny Ings and Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey did not train at St George’s Park yesterday.

More than 75,000 fans are expected to attend Friday’s game against Estonia at Wembley.

Hodgson’s men will then fly to Vilnius to take on Lithuania three days later.

England have already qualified for France after winning all eight of their matches so far.