• Premier League

'Only older players need two days of rest'

Paul Scholes has questioned Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers' claims that players such as Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling need two days of rest after a game.

Rodgers made the point after Daniel Sturridge picked up a thigh injury during an England training session on September 5, the second day after he had played 89 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over Norway, while Sterling has been widely criticised for saying he was tired ahead of the Euro 2016 qualifier in Estonia.

Scholes was quick to dismiss the theory that younger players need the extra break, while he hopes that Sterling's decision did not come about due to any pressure from Liverpool following what happened to Sturridge while on international duty.

'He is England's best player now'

Jack Wilshere has received praise from Paul Scholes for his recent form © Getty Images

• Paul Scholes says the "penny has dropped" for Jack Wilshere after the England midfielder impressed during the Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia.
• Click here to continue reading

"If you are 19 years old like Raheem Sterling, or even 25 years old like Daniel Sturridge, you do not need a two-day recovery after playing a game," he wrote in his column for The Independent.

"The two-day recovery was only for the oldest among us [at Manchester United] - generally speaking the over-33s.

"As for Sterling himself, I really hope that there has been no pressure placed on him by Rodgers or anyone at his club to say that he was feeling tired, or heavy-legged on Saturday. I really hope that his decision to tell Hodgson that he was not at his best was his, and his alone.

"At 19, I think he is a good player, with the potential to be a great one. I find it hard to believe that he wants to miss games. He has played 1,105 minutes over 14 games this season, 11 of them starts. Yes, he played at the World Cup but that was in June. It might have taken an emotional toll but at 19 years old, it will not be affecting his energy levels.

"Unfortunately this episode has created problems for him. He may get a bit of stick for it at away grounds and be under that extra pressure to perform."

Scholes also defended Roy Hodgson for revealing that Sterling was too tired to play against Estonia - saying the England manager did the right thing in being honest.

"When he was asked on Sunday why Sterling was not in the team for the Estonia game, Hodgson had to give a straight answer. Sterling is one of his most important players. If he is not playing then naturally he is going to be asked why," Scholes said.

"I don't blame Hodgson one bit. He does his best to look after the players, win games and give honest answers. Being England manager is hard enough without the added obligation to accommodate every club's different recovery plans."

Scholes' former United teammate and current Red Devils assistant manager Ryan Giggs says he can understand why Sterling was keen to be rested, despite it not being a problem he ever encountered during his playing career.

"You have got to be careful when you are a young player, it's a short career and you have to look out for your own future," he told Sky Sports. "But me speaking from my own personal experience, I wanted to train every day and to play every day."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd