Wayne Rooney's form at the World Cup has concerned Sir Alex Ferguson so much the Manchester United manager has taken time out from his holiday to call the England forward.
Ferguson claims the "debilitating" atmosphere in the England camp is affecting Rooney, but also added that a long campaign has taken its toll on the 24-year-old, who has looked a shadow of the player that scored 34 goals for United last season.
"I had that feeling," Ferguson said. "I spoke to Wayne last week and I just said: 'Relax and enjoy it.' I just sensed there was a tension in and around the camp from what I was hearing. I didn't watch the Algeria game but I just get a feeling that the expectation is affecting the England team.
"Sometimes the expectation can be debilitating in terms of getting the players to perform to the levels required to get through their group."
The pressure appeared to get to Rooney after the 0-0 draw with Algeria, when he angrily criticised England fans as he walked off the pitch.
Rooney is far from being the only underperforming player at the World Cup, but that does not surprise Ferguson.
"It's been a disappointing World Cup but I had a feeling it would be," he added on Sirius radio in New York. "I have been disappointed with the quality levels, I have to say. I haven't been impressed at all.
"The season we have in Europe, particularly in England, is tough. Then the players all met up [with their international squads] three or four days after the season finished and they have been together for most of that time, after a long, hard season.
"It's a real task to ask players to perform at the best level they can after a season in England.
"Germany take that month-long break in January and they always seem to do better in World Cups than anyone ever expects. Even though they are not as strong as German teams of the past, they still manage to do something in World Cups."
Read More
MORE ABOUT