USA star Landon Donovan believes England striker Wayne Rooney is 'worn out' ahead of World Cup 2010

American thinks long season will blunt Roo in South Africa...



The American believes that a long season has taken its toll on Rooney's body, and that the Red Devils striker will be jaded and tired by the time the tournament rolls around.



The 24-year-old has played 49 games for United this season, often in a lone striking role, and has struggled with ankle and knee injuries.



And Donovan feels that no one can be at their sharpest after a season such as that.



"Rooney is a top player. In my opinion, he is one of the best players in the world right now," Donovan told Yahoo! Sports.



"But the other part of it is that he has played a lot of games and he is tired. He is probably worn out.



"Injuries are a part of that. Things happen when players are tired. When they just keep adding games to the schedule, it makes it difficult.



"Any time you come into a World Cup, because of the timing of it, big players who play a lot of games in Europe are coming right at the end of their season, so it is always an interesting dynamic how to balance that."



Donovan played ten games on loan at Everton this season, and his first-hand experience of English football culture means he expects the pressure to be heaped upon the shoulders of Rooney and the rest of Fabio Capello's squad by the time the tournament begins.



That kind of pressure can only work to the United States' advantage when they face the English in the group stage, according to Donovan.



"Of course, there is more pressure on the English players," he added.



"If we don't do well in the World Cup, people care for a little bit. But if England doesn't do well in the World Cup, it is absolutely devastating to their country, their families, to their people.



"That is something they [England] live with. I don't know if they look at it that way, but that is how I look at it."



No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to its most beautiful and sunniest city. Durban offers much more than sandy beaches, safaris, casinos and the World Cup, for information on what to do and see,



Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan has begun the mind games early ahead of the United States World Cup clash with England this summer by stating his belief that Manchester United star Wayne Rooney will not be at his best in South Africa.The American believes that a long season has taken its toll on Rooney's body, and that the Red Devils striker will be jaded and tired by the time the tournament rolls around.The 24-year-old has played 49 games for United this season, often in a lone striking role, and has struggled with ankle and knee injuries.And Donovan feels that no one can be at their sharpest after a season such as that."Rooney is a top player. In my opinion, he is one of the best players in the world right now," Donovan told Yahoo! Sports."But the other part of it is that he has played a lot of games and he is tired. He is probably worn out."Injuries are a part of that. Things happen when players are tired. When they just keep adding games to the schedule, it makes it difficult."Any time you come into a World Cup, because of the timing of it, big players who play a lot of games in Europe are coming right at the end of their season, so it is always an interesting dynamic how to balance that."Donovan played ten games on loan at Everton this season, and his first-hand experience of English football culture means he expects the pressure to be heaped upon the shoulders of Rooney and the rest of Fabio Capello's squad by the time the tournament begins.That kind of pressure can only work to the United States' advantage when they face the English in the group stage, according to Donovan."Of course, there is more pressure on the English players," he added."If we don't do well in the World Cup, people care for a little bit. But if England doesn't do well in the World Cup, it is absolutely devastating to their country, their families, to their people."That is something they [England] live with. I don't know if they look at it that way, but that is how I look at it."No trip to South Africa is complete without a visit to its most beautiful and sunniest city. Durban offers much more than sandy beaches, safaris, casinos and the World Cup, for information on what to do and see, please click here Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!