Neville impressed by 'lean' Rooney

Gary Neville believes Wayne Rooney has turned into a lean, mean fighting machine.

After receiving a huge amount of criticism for his sluggish display during Manchester United's defeat at Everton on the opening weekend of the Premier League, Rooney has benefited massively from the time off he was forced to take when he suffered a badly gashed thigh against Fulham.

And England coach Neville is delighted with what he has seen, telling BBC Radio Five Live: "Rooney is best when he plays like the street kid; fights for every ball, loves playing football, wants to take every free-kick, every throw-in, tackles, heads, fights like he has the passion to win."

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