Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has described club captain Wayne Rooney as "overweight and slow".
Rooney was on the scoresheet for United in their 3-1 opening-weekend victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, leaving him just three goals short of Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record of 249.
However, Parker does not believe that Rooney warrants a place in Jose Mourinho's first-choice side, hinting that his position should be under threat from new signing Paul Pogba.
"This is a defining season for Rooney. It's no longer about him breaking records but finishing his career at Manchester United. He needs to show his worth and that he deserves to be in the team and not just because of marketing," he told 888sport.com.
"As much as people appreciate what he's done over the years and how many goals he's scored football is about now and being judged on now. If someone had only heard of Wayne Rooney but seen him now they'd think 'Who is this fella? He's overweight and slow. That shot was terrible, and it looks like he can't move or shift his body quick enough.'
"With Pogba you do wonder when you look at his style of play for Juventus can he play that way for Manchester United? If he plays behind Ibrahimovic that puts Wayne Rooney in doubt and Rooney has to play – not that he deserves a place, but they have to play him. So it's a difficult situation."
Rooney scored just eight Premier League goals for United last season - his lowest tally since his debut campaign at Everton in 2002-03.
Barney Corkhill
