By Our Correspondent

National News – Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has claimed that age may finally be affecting Mohamed Salah, suggesting the Liverpool star is no longer performing at the elite level that defined much of his career.

Rooney made the remarks on The Wayne Rooney Show, where he reflected on the difficult reality many footballers face as they approach the latter stages of their careers.

The comments came on Friday as Rooney shared his own experience of recognising when his level had dropped during his time at Manchester United.

According to him, the hardest challenge for any player is accepting that age eventually catches up with everyone and affects performance.

Rooney, who spent 13 years at Manchester United and won multiple major honours, recalled how he accepted his reduced role after Zlatan Ibrahimović joined the club.

He explained that his decision to leave immediately and return to Everton was based on his desire for regular playing time.

Comparing his situation to Salah’s, Rooney said the Liverpool forward appears to be experiencing a decline this season.

The 33-year-old Egyptian, who has been instrumental to Liverpool’s recent success, has posted lower-than-usual numbers, scoring seven league goals with six assists and featuring less consistently.

Rooney also extended his comments to Virgil van Dijk, noting that declining performances from senior players can affect leadership within the dressing room.

He said younger players often struggle to establish authority when established figures remain but are no longer at their peak.

The former England captain also compared current Liverpool manager Arne Slot with former boss Jürgen Klopp, arguing that Klopp’s charisma and connection with fans gave him a unique presence that is difficult to replicate.