I am hurting, says Rooney

LONDON (AP): Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney said he is hurting and is "only a human being" in his first comments since being accused of cheating on his then-pregnant wife with a prostitute.

Rooney has struggled to make an impact for United since the alleged infidelities emerged in newspapers last month and he has failed to score for the Premier League club from open play all season.

Asked if the sex scandal has affected his form, Rooney told Sky Sports: "I can't say yes and I can't say no because obviously it has been a hard time. I just need to try to get back to doing what I do best and playing football the way I can do.

"I'm only a human being - I hurt as well, but I need to get through this and back playing football the way I know I can do and I'm sure everything else will settle down after that."

100 per cent fit

United manager Alex Ferguson dropped Rooney when the allegations first emerged, claiming that he was protecting his England forward from fan-abuse at former club Everton.

Ferguson ruled the 24-year-old Rooney out of Wednesday's Champions League match and yesterday's Premier League fixture at Sunderland due to an ankle injury despite the player himself insisting he will be "100 per cent" fit to play for England on October 12. Manchester United drew 0-0 at Sunderland.

"Obviously, there are people around you who try to help you and want you to do well," Rooney said. "But at the end of the day, it comes down to yourself."

Rooney discussed the impact of problems in his private life for the first time while promoting a commercial deal.