Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has backed Wayne Rooney to perform for England at the World Cup in Brazil.

The Manchester United forward has come under scrutiny before the Three Lions' opening Group D match against Italy on Saturday.

United legend Paul Scholes believes that the 28-year-old peaked too early in his career, but Mourinho thinks that this summer's tournament is Rooney's "time".

"I don't agree with Scholes," the Portuguese coach said in his role as a Yahoo World Cup ambassador. "I think Wayne is right when he says this is 'his' World Cup, it is the right moment [for him].

"He is not a kid any more, he is not an old player at the end of his career, he is in what I call 'the best age'. I think it is his World Cup. I think he has also a role as a leader in the team, a little bit similar that he had at United this season. I think he is ready to cope with this."

England will also face Uruguay and Costa Rica.