Alan Shearer believes Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney could kick-start his season against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after the England international endured a disappointing night in his side's Champions League win over Wolfsburg in midweek.
Rooney spent large periods of the Group B clash against the German side at Old Trafford as a bystander and missed a chance to head in the equaliser as United were trailing by a goal, although he later made up for it with a last-ditch clearance to deny Wolfsburg the chance to restore parity after Louis van Gaal's side had scored twice to take a 2-1 lead.
Rooney's fortunes domestically have not been much better, with the 29-year-old having gone 11 games without scoring in the Premier League until last weekend when he netted in United's 3-0 win at home to Sunderland.
But Shearer believes Rooney will silence his critics - and has warned Arsenal the turning point for the United forward could happen as soon as Sunday when Van Gaal's league leaders take on Arsene Wenger's side in London.
"Believe me, Wayne will come good again," Shearer told The Sun.
"And I would not be surprised if that comes at the Emirates against Arsenal this Sunday."
When then asked about Rooney's performance against Wolfsburg, he said: "Yes, he had a poor game against Wolfsburg and he has had a slow start to the season, I cannot disagree.
"But if anyone deserves to be cut a bit of slack it is Wayne Rooney.
"People are saying he is finished at the top level. In my opinion, we have still got another three years of quality at the highest level from him - if he can remain injury free.
"Over the last two seasons or more, he has been asked to play upfront, out wide, deep lying and now back in the No.10 role again.
"But I don't remember anyone moaning when he was selflessly filling in every role he was asked to for the team.
"Also, who was the man just in front of his own line, blocking a goalbound shot in the dying minutes to deny Wolfsburg a possible equaliser in the Champions League on Wednesday night?
"He has had to handle that intense scrutiny for well over a decade and has always risen to the challenges - and I am certain he will do so again."
