Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has described the recent criticism that he has received as "rubbish".

The 30-year-old has been under the spotlight following a number of lacklustre performances in a United shirt this season.

Rooney played up front in last night's 3-1 victory over Northampton Town in the third round of the EFL Cup, but he registered just one shot on target.

The result ended a run of three consecutive defeats for United, and Rooney is confident that he and the team will be more consistent from now on.

"That's football, I think," Rooney told MUTV. "We don't win in three games and, of course, everyone is going to talk about it. We had a bad week, a bad eight days where we've lost three games, and it's important now we react well to that and come through that.

"I think I've had [criticism] my whole career - a little bit more of late, I think, but that's football. I listen to my coaches and my teammates, the people around me, and I don't really listen to what a lot of people out there are saying because a lot of it is rubbish.

"I have to focus, work hard, of course, and I've done that throughout my career. I've worked hard and tried to do my best for the team."

Rooney has been played in various positions - up front and in midfield - and he has insisted that he will play wherever manager Jose Mourinho puts him.

"I've [played in different positions] throughout my career," Rooney added. "I feel I can play in all positions but I think the manager has made it clear either I'll play up front or in the number 10 and that's where he sees me playing.

"As I said before, it's not just myself - the whole team is going in and working hard. We had a bad week but we've been working hard to put that right."

United will take on defending champions Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend.