MANCHESTER (England), Sept 22: Manchester United cannot be expected to work miracles with Wayne Rooney after his long spell on the sidelines, assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said on Friday.

The 20-year-old England striker has been well short of his best form so far this season following his return from a broken metatarsal he sustained at the end of April.

His comeback was held up by a three-match ban carried over from a pre-season red card and, after being substituted in his last two games, Rooney has completed just one full 90 minutes for United this season.

“It is important to remind people that in six months he has played five or six games, and not complete ones,” Queiroz told reporters.

“So it is natural to expect this progression. In terms of preparation we cannot produce miracles.

“He needs to play to get back to get his maximum form and that is what will happen in the next few weeks, for sure.”

Rooney, who played only a limited role for England at the World Cup, has looked frustrated by his lack of sharpness.

Queiroz believes that is understandable for a player who scored 19 times last season and was expected to forge a prolific partnership with French strike partner Louis Saha after the departure of Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy.— Reuters