Jones: Rooney more than goals

Phil Jones says Wayne Rooney will continue to be an integral part of any Manchester United success, even if he is not scoring goals on a regular basis.

The United striker started the season in sensational style; finding the net on 11 occasions during his first nine appearances of the campaign.

However, a barren spell of sorts soon followed for Rooney, with the 26-year-old adding only two more goals to his tally in the subsequent 12 games for club and country.

Rooney, though, was able to get his name on the scoresheet for the first time in over a month on Saturday, as he bagged a brace in United's 4-1 victory over Wolves.

Jones, though, believes Rooney has been as important to United as ever during his dry spell, and continues to have a massive influence even when he is not firing.

"Wayne was brilliant," said the young defender after the game.

"But he still has an influence on the team even when he is not scoring. The things he does off the ball are terrific as well.

"People sometimes don't take that into consideration. They look at his goal tally and think he is not doing well but he has been terrific for us."