Calls for Wayne Rooney to be dropped by England at the World Cup have turned in to a "witch-hunt", according to his Manchester United coach Phil Neville.
The 28-year-old striker's place in Roy Hodgson's side has been questioned ahead of Saturday's game against Germany.
But Neville told BBC Sport: "I think it is a witch-hunt they don't require.
"Everything has been going so well with the team's preparation that people are looking for a negative now. But there is not a negative with Wayne."
In the coursework of England's preparations for the World Cup, Rooney and Neville's former United team-mate Paul Scholes suggested the forward may be past his peak.
"There is a side of the English mentality to say 'let's look for a scapegoat and somebody to criticise'," said Neville. "But Wayne is our best player and that is a fact."
Rooney has not scored in eight World Cup appearances, but netted times at the European Championship in 2004.
"I'm definite he will require to deliver in this match like he did at Euro 2004," said Neville.
"He looks fit and lean and I do not understand why people require him out.
"Hopefully this criticism will be Wayne's motivation. I get angered by it all and it sounds like Roy Hodgson is getting angered by it all ."
Rooney's goals at Euro 2004
Hodgson said last week it was "a bit sad" that England is "so Wayne Rooney-obsessed".
Neville, who is part of the BBC punditry team in Brazil for the World Cup, feels Rooney is being targeted unfairly.
"People query Wayne's attitude as well as his fitness but I worked with him every day last season and can tell you he is driven to perform at this World Cup," said, whose sister Gary is part of the England coaching set up.
The 28-year-old striker's place in Roy Hodgson's side has been questioned ahead of Saturday's game against Germany.
But Neville told BBC Sport: "I think it is a witch-hunt they don't require.
"Everything has been going so well with the team's preparation that people are looking for a negative now. But there is not a negative with Wayne."
In the coursework of England's preparations for the World Cup, Rooney and Neville's former United team-mate Paul Scholes suggested the forward may be past his peak.
"There is a side of the English mentality to say 'let's look for a scapegoat and somebody to criticise'," said Neville. "But Wayne is our best player and that is a fact."
Rooney has not scored in eight World Cup appearances, but netted times at the European Championship in 2004.
"I'm definite he will require to deliver in this match like he did at Euro 2004," said Neville.
"He looks fit and lean and I do not understand why people require him out.
"Hopefully this criticism will be Wayne's motivation. I get angered by it all and it sounds like Roy Hodgson is getting angered by it all ."
Rooney's goals at Euro 2004
Hodgson said last week it was "a bit sad" that England is "so Wayne Rooney-obsessed".
Neville, who is part of the BBC punditry team in Brazil for the World Cup, feels Rooney is being targeted unfairly.
"People query Wayne's attitude as well as his fitness but I worked with him every day last season and can tell you he is driven to perform at this World Cup," said, whose sister Gary is part of the England coaching set up.
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