Wayne Rooney hails Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on Raheem Sterling

Wayne Rooney hails Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on Raheem Sterling
Wayne Rooney has hailed Raheem Sterling and praised Pep Guardiola for his influence on the Manchester City star’s career.Sterling has been in outstanding form for City over the past few years and, for many people, has been the standout player in the Premier League this term. 3

Raheem Sterling has scored 15 Premier League goals and registered nine assists for title-chasing City

And Rooney is delighted to see his former England teammate doing so well.He told talkSPORT in an exclusive interview: “Hes been fantastic. You need to give Pep Guardiola a lot of credit.“Raheem has always had the talent and the ability but one thing hes improved on massively is his knowledge of the game and tactically hes a lot better from working with Guardiola.“Raheem, to get his head down and work on that, is fantastic. Im really pleased for him.“Hell be up for Player of the Year this season.”3

Rooney heaped praise on Sterling

Sterling has received widespread praise for his exploits both on and off the pitch, scoring goals for fun and calling out English football’s persistent problem with racism.However, the 24-year-old was the subject of much media condemnation earlier in his career.Gary Neville has previously recalled how the England star approached him during Euro 2016 due to ‘vicious’ criticism from fans.And Rooney, England’s record goalscorer, admits it was confusing for him and the rest of the squad.“He is a great person. At times he got a lot of stick which it was baffling for us as players as to why it was happening. We didnt really understand it.”

LIVE on talkSPORT

There are six live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...

• England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
• Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
• Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2

Rooney has endured his fair share of criticism in the media throughout his career, and the former Manchester United star admits it can hurt.“Its not nice for anyone,” he added.“Not just yourself, but your family and your parents. People who were close to the player, its not nice. But one thing we know how to do is play football.3

Rooney in action during England’s victory over the USA

“When you go on that pitch, thats where you belong. As a player you just want to be on the pitch regardless of whats being said.“With social media and the coverage football gets now, its part of the game.“Im sure players at different clubs will get taught how to deal with it.”

FULL INTERVIEW: Wayne Rooney on his Everton regret, Raheem Sterling, England and why Liverpool title win would be a nightmare

---

Bournemouth and England striker Callum Wilson has told talkSPORT he will 'make sure' Arsenal target Ryan Fraser doesn't leave the south coast club this summer. The Scotland winger has been
Transfer EXCLUSIVE: Callum Wilson will 'make sure' Arsenal

---

Tottenham Advance in Champions League After Draw vs. Lionel Messi, Barcelona Barcelona have rested most of their team and yet still start two players (Dembele and Coutinho) who cost almost
Barcelona vs Tottenham analysis: Lionel Messi had Spurs

---

Cristiano Ronaldo 'wants to join Chelsea' By Barney with Manchester United heavily linked with a move to bring the Portuguese back to Old Trafford at Get the latest transfer news, match
~ Tottenham team news: Predicted XI to face Everton in the

---

Mar 07, 2019 · "The investigatory chamber of the independent Uefa club financial control body has today opened a formal investigation into Manchester City FC for potential breaches of financial fair play
Manchester City 'face potential Champions League ban' over

---

TIME is up for Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford. The Special One was brought in to address the slump following the tenures of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal - but was his record actually any better? PA:Press Association Jose Mourinho has left the club with United slumped at sixth in the Prem How does […]
Manchester United news: Comparing Jose Mourinho's home record

---

Man Utd star Paul Pogba reveals first thing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told him. MANCHESTER UNITED star Paul Pogba has revealed the first piece of advice Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gave to the Red Devils after taking over.
Transfer Centre - Football Transfers News & Rumours | Sky Sports

---

Pep Guardiola is confident that Manchester City will not be banned from the Champions League despite Uefa's investigation into the club's Financial Fair Play (FFP) compliance. Uefa will
FFP: Man City boss Pep Guardiola does not think financial

---

MANCHESTER UNITED and Tottenham are set to battle it out for Bournemouth star David Brooks, reports say. set to battle it out for Bournemouth star David Brooks
Tottenham plotting £50 million move to beat Manchester United

---

Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot further endeared himself to the club's fans with his tweet after their 3-1 FA Cup victory over Arsenal. The Red Devils were in superb form in the triumph
Manchester United fan's tweet splitting the club's players

---

Watford troll Gary Lineker on Twitter over presenter's claim about former manager Marco Silva but CEO later apologises to him The former England striker labelled Watford's decision to sack Silva
Gary Lineker has reacted brilliantly after Zinedine Zidane

---

Yacine Brahimi became hot property after the 2014 FIFA World Cup and joined FC Porto at club level in the same transfer window. The left winger has since become a key player for the club and over
Wolves Join Arsenal In Free Transfer Race For FC Porto Winger

---

Maurizio Sarri has refused to confirm whether Kepa Arrizabalaga will start in goal for Chelsea when they face Tottenham on Wednesday. The Spaniard refused to be substituted during the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, as Sarri tried to introduce Willy Caballero in the dying moments of extra-time as the match went to penalties.
Kepa Arrizabalaga started for Chelsea but Maurizio Sarri

---

Chelsea hit with transfer ban for next two windows. We will however continue to work with FIFA and Chelsea in a constructive manner to address the issues which are raised by this case.
FIFA bans Chelsea from next two transfer windows, club to

---

Report Ad
Find your Lionel Messi merchandise here. Worldwide Shipping of all sizes

---

Every Premier League club's year-on-year performance

---