Family time: Gerrard with his wife and two daughters

'His attitude (at Euro 2012) was magnificent. He was putting in extra work in training because he was concerned he was behind the others having missed the first two games through suspension.

'He was trying to do extra work and we were trying to put the brakes on. His desire to do well was enormous.

'In the final game (against Italy) he, along with one or two other players, didn't play to the level he can but that's what football is about.

'If every player was a robot and played at the same level in every game then football would be a very simple game and we wouldn’t need coaches.'

But Rooney's United team-mate Rio Ferdinand has questioned some of the England boss' tactics in Poland and Ukraine.

He told The Sun: 'I am a fan of The Ox and I wanted to see more of him but in the end he finished up as a spectator.

'Phil Jones is one of the most adaptable players we have in our country and where was he?

'When we need to take the ball from midfield, run 40 yards with it and put the other team on the back foot, he is the man for the job.

'Instead, we stayed cautious and Jordan Henderson was used instead.'

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