Paul Scholes believes that former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney has been "too nice" to opponents in recent years.

The Red Devils striker has come under intense criticism following his tackle on Stewart Downing last weekend, which led to his seventh career red card.

Rooney was quick to apologise for the lunge, although Scholes insists that the United skipper must regain some of his aggressive edge.

"I don't think Wayne Rooney's tackle on Stewart Downing was the kind that hurts an opposing player," the 39-year-old told the London Evening Standard. "From what I could see of it, Wayne tried to trip him and ended up catching him higher up the leg than he had intended.

"It was the position on the pitch that puzzled me. It was not as if Downing was in on goal. In recent years I think he's been too nice to opponents. You see him helping players up after challenges. He's better when he's nastier.

"That was the way he was when he came on to the scene 12 years ago. He was the player who was aggressive and did not try to hide the fact that he hated losing. As for myself, I did not spend too much time giving opponents a hand up after I had fouled them – well, only if I thought it might change the referee's mind about a card."

Rooney has scored three goals in his first six games for United so far this season.