Bilic critisized English FA for Rooney's poor form
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Croatia coach Slaven Bilic has blasted the English FA for ruining Manchester United star Wayne Rooney's career.
Bilic, 20, has not scored a competitive goal for his country since England last played the Croats at Euro 2004.
And Bilic said: "Rooney is in crisis because his career lacks consistency and continuity.
"He is a great talent but it seems that he's either injured or being punished by the English FA.
"Maybe he's not playing to his maximum at the moment but don't forget that he suffered a serious injury last season and was not really ready for the World Cup.
"Every time he gets into the swing it seems that he stops again."
Rooney has not scored for United since August 20 and has struggled to recapture his form since serving a three-match ban for a pre-season red card in Amsterdam.
He also missed England's first three games of the season after his World Cup red card against Portugal in Germany.
Bilic said: "It is not easy to be Wayne Rooney at the moment because of all the attention he's getting. His anger is one of his great assets but he needs to control it.
"People in Croatia are saying we should make him lose his temper but we're not a dirty team and we won't do that."
Defender Robert Kovac added: "Provocation is not fair or sportsmanlike. I will just be better than him on the field."
Bilic, 20, has not scored a competitive goal for his country since England last played the Croats at Euro 2004.
And Bilic said: "Rooney is in crisis because his career lacks consistency and continuity.
"He is a great talent but it seems that he's either injured or being punished by the English FA.
"Maybe he's not playing to his maximum at the moment but don't forget that he suffered a serious injury last season and was not really ready for the World Cup.
"Every time he gets into the swing it seems that he stops again."
Rooney has not scored for United since August 20 and has struggled to recapture his form since serving a three-match ban for a pre-season red card in Amsterdam.
He also missed England's first three games of the season after his World Cup red card against Portugal in Germany.
Bilic said: "It is not easy to be Wayne Rooney at the moment because of all the attention he's getting. His anger is one of his great assets but he needs to control it.
"People in Croatia are saying we should make him lose his temper but we're not a dirty team and we won't do that."
Defender Robert Kovac added: "Provocation is not fair or sportsmanlike. I will just be better than him on the field."
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