Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Giggs urges Rooney to take WC chance

Ryan Giggs has warned Wayne Rooney that he faces his last chance to make his mark at a World Cup this summer.

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Rooney, who was sent off in England's quarterfinal exit to Portugal in 2006, is still yet to score in a World Cup and has underperformed in his previous two global tournaments.

But the Manchester United top scorer is expected to be a key member of Roy Hodgson's squad in Brazil, which will be his third World Cup.

Rooney will be almost 33 by the time the 2018 tournament in Russia kicks off and interim United manager Giggs told the forward that this could be his final opportunity to show the world what he can do on the greatest stage.

"I think it is," he said in a news conference -- former Wales international Giggs never played in a World Cup and envies Rooney the opportunity.

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"Wayne is a top player," he added. "He is at a good age. He is probably at the peak of his powers. I know for a fact he can't wait for it. It is exciting, a World Cup in Brazil.

"We have all watched Brazilian teams over the years and to actually play in a World Cup in Brazil is something I wished I had the pleasure of doing. He has had a fantastic season and he is ready to make an impact. I think he is at the peak of his powers. He is 28 now.

"I don't want to talk too much about England but the young players they have at their disposal, for English fans, is exciting. That can only help Wayne. You see the emergence of [Raheem] Sterling. [Adam] Lallana has had a good season. [Daniel] Sturridge. Danny Welbeck here. He has young vibrant players around him. That can only help him."

Rooney will sit out United's game at Southampton on Sunday, which will be the third consecutive game he has missed with a groin injury, but Giggs believes the rest will benefit him.

He said: "He will be going into it relatively fresh. The injury has probably done him a favour. I know he is excited, just like all the lads who are going to the World Cup. They can't wait and rightly so. It is a great experience for them."

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