Ferguson tries to motivate Wayne Rooney

England have stuttered to two draws in the opening games against USA and Algeria.

And Rooney has been the shadow of the player that scored over 30 goals for Manchester United last season.

But his club boss Ferguson has now made contact, and although he admits tension is high within the Three Lions camp, he feels Rooney just needs to 'relax'.

"Sometimes the expectation can be debilitating," Ferguson told the Sun.

"I had that feeling. I spoke to Wayne Rooney and just said, 'relax and enjoy it.'

"I just sensed there was a tension in and around the camp from what I was hearing.

"I didn't watch the Algeria game, I was out with friends, but I just get a feeling that the expectation is affecting the England team."

Ferguson admits the World Cup as a spectacle has been poor, but he is not surprised.

"It's been a disappointing World Cup, but I had a feeling it would be," he said.

"I have been disappointed with the quality levels, I haven't been impressed at all.

"The season we have in Europe, particularly in England, is tough.

"The players met up about 3-4 days after the season finished and they have been together for most of that time, after a long, hard season.

"It's a real task to ask players to perform at the best level they can achieve after the season in England."