Wayne Rooney has defended Manchester United teammate Ashley Young by claiming that recent criticism has been "exaggerated".

Young has been in the spotlight after winning two contentious penalties for the Red Devils in their last two home fixtures.

However, Rooney has said that the winger has been unfairly targeted due to the fact that he is a Manchester United player.

"It has been exaggerated because Ashley is a United player," Rooney told MUTV. "Whatever happens at our club, it gets more press than it would if it were another player at another team.

"In any case, at times you are trying to get out of the way of being kicked and people think you have dived. The game is so quick these days it is difficult for the referee to get some of those decisions right."

Rooney is preparing to play against his old club Everton in the lunchtime kickoff tomorrow.