Wednesday 2 September 2015 14:42, UK
Alan Shearer says Wayne Rooney capitalised on his team-mates moving the ball quicker by scoring a hat-trick in Manchester United's 4-0 Champions League qualifying win against Club Brugge.
Rooney broke a 10-game goal drought in style in Belgium on Wednesday with three goals to send Louis van Gaal's side back into Europe's elite club competition, having missed out last season.
Shearer says Van Gaal's decision to play Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera in midfield proved the difference and he expects Rooney to take his new-found goalscoring form into international duty next month.
The 29-year-old currently has 48 international goals, one behind Bobby Charlton's England record, and will be hopeful of passing that mark when Roy Hodgson's side take on San Marino and Switzerland in European Qualifiers next month.
"It will happen," Shearer told Sky Sports News HQ. "It's only a matter of time before he does it. He deserves it, he's been a fantastic player.
"The argument will be that he hasn't produced the goods at major tournaments, but he's been there, he's scored the goals, he's played when he's been injured and he's given absolutely everything.
"Players like him are few and far between and I'm a huge admirer of his.
"The notable thing about this game is Man Utd got the ball forward quicker, people were prepared to run beyond him.
"A lot of the time, from the three league games I've seen this season, he's been fighting two centre-halves with no-one running past him. The balls in front of him have been safe - there's no gamble, nothing in behind and that suited the opposition. It totally changed on Wednesday night.
"Carrick and Herrera helped him and as soon as he got the first one it was a matter of time before he got another one, and another one - and don't be surprised, if Man United keep getting the ball forward quicker, he'll score more goals, no doubt about it."
Shearer, who scored 30 goals in 63 appearances for England, admits he is concerned about a dearth of English No 9s in the Premier League.
"It's pretty alarming," he added. "In my day we had Fowler, Cole, Sheringham, Le Tissier, Sutton, Ferdinand. I've probably missed a few off.
"Now I see Rooney and Harry Kane, who has tremendous potential, but it's just potential. Daniel Sturridge has struggled with injuries. We're waiting for someone to come in grab that position and let's hope that's Harry Kane.
It's pretty alarming, In my day we had Folwer, Cole, Sheringham, Le Tissier, Sutton, Ferdinand.
"I know he's struggling for goals, as Wayne was this season, because he's now Kane the international, so I'm fascinated to see how he handles that and how defenders change their attitude towards him, but if he's given the service, he will score goals."
Alan Shearer was taking part in an all-star Walking Football fixture staged by Barclays Digital Eagles. To find out how a Digital Eagle can help improve your online skills and to win Barclays Premier League tickets search Spirit of the Game.
