Wayne Rooney hails Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on Raheem Sterling

Wayne Rooney hails Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s influence on Raheem Sterling
Wayne Rooney has hailed Raheem Sterling and praised Pep Guardiola for his influence on the Manchester City star’s career.Sterling has been in outstanding form for City over the past few years and, for many people, has been the standout player in the Premier League this term. 3

Raheem Sterling has scored 15 Premier League goals and registered nine assists for title-chasing City

And Rooney is delighted to see his former England teammate doing so well.He told talkSPORT in an exclusive interview: “Hes been fantastic. You need to give Pep Guardiola a lot of credit.“Raheem has always had the talent and the ability but one thing hes improved on massively is his knowledge of the game and tactically hes a lot better from working with Guardiola.“Raheem, to get his head down and work on that, is fantastic. Im really pleased for him.“Hell be up for Player of the Year this season.”3

Rooney heaped praise on Sterling

Sterling has received widespread praise for his exploits both on and off the pitch, scoring goals for fun and calling out English football’s persistent problem with racism.However, the 24-year-old was the subject of much media condemnation earlier in his career.Gary Neville has previously recalled how the England star approached him during Euro 2016 due to ‘vicious’ criticism from fans.And Rooney, England’s record goalscorer, admits it was confusing for him and the rest of the squad.“He is a great person. At times he got a lot of stick which it was baffling for us as players as to why it was happening. We didnt really understand it.”

LIVE on talkSPORT

There are six live commentaries across the talkSPORT network this week. Find out what they are and where to hear them, below...

• England vs Czech Republic (Friday) – talkSPORT
• Walsall vs Barnsley (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Shrewsbury vs Portsmouth (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• Gibraltar vs Republic of Ireland (Saturday) – talkSPORT 2
• San Marino vs Scotland (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2
• Netherlands vs Germany (Sunday) – talkSPORT 2

Rooney has endured his fair share of criticism in the media throughout his career, and the former Manchester United star admits it can hurt.“Its not nice for anyone,” he added.“Not just yourself, but your family and your parents. People who were close to the player, its not nice. But one thing we know how to do is play football.3

Rooney in action during England’s victory over the USA

“When you go on that pitch, thats where you belong. As a player you just want to be on the pitch regardless of whats being said.“With social media and the coverage football gets now, its part of the game.“Im sure players at different clubs will get taught how to deal with it.”

FULL INTERVIEW: Wayne Rooney on his Everton regret, Raheem Sterling, England and why Liverpool title win would be a nightmare

---

That result saw Norwich leapfrog Leeds and go top of the Championship table on goal difference, and it was also enough for bookmakers to reconsider their odds on who will win the title. The Canaries are now the favourites with several bookmakers, including bet365 who have them at 13/8 to lift the trophy come May.
Championship title race: The table, odds for pr | SportSpyder

---

Lionel Messi: Every record the Barcelona superstar has broken in 2019 The Argentina forward turns 32 in June, but continues to wow football fans By talkSPORT
Lionel Messi: Every record the Barcelona superstar has broken

---

Mar 02, 2019 · A huge hint has been dropped that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be in charge of Manchester United long-term. [ VIDEO: Premier League highlights] United's current caretaker boss has filmed video
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer stuns Manchester United players in

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has seen his scheduled training plans wrecked by the extreme weather conditions in the north-west of England. The Manchester United boss was trying to prepare his side to travel to Leicester City on Sunday, a game you can hear live on talkSPORT from 2.05pm.
Leicester City v Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's

---

Jose Enrique opens up on secret battle with brain tumour as ex-Liverpool star reveals he is in recovery. Enrique posted an emotional Instagram message on the "toughest few weeks of my life".
sport news Ex-Liverpool defender Jose Enrique reveals

---

'Manchester United doing badly never gets old' - Liverpool

---

Eden Hazard shirts spotted in official Real Madrid store - number star will wear revealed been spotted hanging up in the official club store. The Blues have been reluctant to do a deal with
Eden Hazard shirts spotted in official Real Madrid store

---

Hamza Choudhury has made 19 appearances for Leicester after coming through the club's youth system Leicester City's Hamza Choudhury has apologised for "hurtful and offensive" historical social
Leicester's England U21 star Hamza Choudhury apologises over

---

Izzy Brown plays for first time in 10 months as Leeds United

---

Dean Saunders has suggested on talkSPORT that Tammy Abraham should swap Chelsea for Aston Villa this summer. Abraham joined Aston Villa on loan last summer and played a massive role in their
'Bigger than Chelsea' Aston Villa hero makes this huge claim

---

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd identify top target, Chelsea EXIT update, Arsenal readying bid TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - All the latest gossip from the Premier League and abroad.
Everton defender Michael Keane on why he rejected Man Utd

---

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is confused by comments made by Jurgen Klopp after Liverpool won 3-1 at Turf Moor on Wednesday and wonders why the Reds boss glossed over Daniel Sturridge's "cheating
Jurgen Klopp and Sean Dyche Clash over Tough Tackling in

---

Now Villa and one of Leeds and Derby face a trip to Wembley to decide who will play in the Premier League next season. The Championship play-off final is often referred to as 'the richest game
Championship playoff final Aston Villa v Derby start time

---