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Manchester United double winner Paul Parker has launched a scathing attack on Wayne Rooney by branding him 'overweight and slow'.

Rooney netted United's winner in their opening Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Sunday but his overall performance was criticised by sections of the club's support just seven days after a poor display in the Community Shield.

Parker, a two-time league champion who was a mainstay in United's great double-winning side of 1994, believes Rooney needs to justify his status as a United first-teamer and accused him of privileges due to his commercial cachet.

"This is a defining season for Rooney," Parker told 888sport. "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.'

"With Paul Pogba you do wonder when you look at his style of play for Juventus can he play that way for Manchester United? If he plays behind Ibrahimovic that puts Wayne Rooney in doubt and Rooney has to play – not that he deserves a place, but they have to play him. So it’s a difficult situation."