Wayne Rooney came back from this summer's World Cup "a little bit dishevelled" according to Manchester United's assistant manager Mike Phelan.

Rooney ended a 13 match goal drought when he found the net from the penalty spot in Saturday's 3-0 victory over West Ham, having failed to score in South Africa.

England were eliminated in the last-16 stage in South Africa after a humiliating 4-1 defeat by old rivals Germany, with Rooney well below par throughout the tournament.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester, Phelan said: "Wayne came back to us a little bit dishevelled from his England exploits, but as long as you keep your head up and keep persevering, things like this will happen."

"Strikers can't score every week, much as they would like to."

Rooney will expect to join up with England once again this week for the opening double-header of Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, and Phelan believes the 24-year-old is ready to hit better form for his country.

"Hopefully now he can relax, enjoy his football and carry on from where he left off."