Charlton helping Rooney control temper on pitch

Posted Tuesday, November 01, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (AP)—Manchester United great Bobby Charlton has been advising Wayne Rooney on how to curb his fiery temper on the pitch.

The burley striker will miss the entire group stage of the 2012 European Championship after receiving a three-game ban for kicking a player during England’s last qualifier against Montenegro.

Asked if he speaks to Rooney about his temperament, Charlton said: “I do sometimes.”

“He is very receptive to good advice. He’s the sort of lad who likes to be told if he’s made a mistake,” Charlton said at the Laureus Sport for Good summit in London on Monday. “He knows he’s made a mistake,” against Montenegro.

The 74-year-old Charlton, now a director at Old Trafford, still retains the goal scoring records for England and United that Rooney will be hoping to overhaul.

England expects to receive the written reasons from UEFA for Rooney’s ban this week before deciding whether to launch an appeal.

“I think he does what he does sometimes and I wonder whether he thinks about it,” Charlton said. “He doesn’t really think about it, otherwise he wouldn’t be doing it. But he learns the lesson and he’ll take the punishment.”