Rooney's club goal drought was 878 minutes before he scored at Club Brugge

Wayne Rooney says he can handle criticism after hat-trick

Wayne Rooney says he is strong enough to handle being criticised after he ended his 10-game goal drought for Manchester United.

Rooney has been under scrutiny after a poor start to the season but scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League.

"If I didn't have a strong character that (the criticism) may have affected me but I know my quality," he said.

"If the goals don't go in I still bring a lot to my team-mates."

‘I wasn’t worried’

England captain Rooney has been playing as United's main striker so far this season but had not scored in the side's opening four games of the campaign.

He went into the game in Brugge with his last United goal having come against Aston Villa in April, but he ended his 878-minute club scoring drought in emphatic manner.

His first was a dink over keeper Sinan Bolat before he sidefooted in and then swept in a shot, while Ander Herrera grabbed the fourth.

The victory secured United's place in the Champions League group stages draw following a one-season absence.

"Thankfully I got the chances and I stuck them in," he told BT Sport.

"I wasn't worried, if it was going on for three, four, five games more then maybe so but it's early days and I knew when the chances came I'd take them.

"As a striker obviously you want to score, everybody goes back to last season and it was so many games without scoring, but a lot of top quality strikers are yet to get off the mark at this stage.

"I understand because of my name and because of who I am it will get publicised a lot more. That's my job and I understand that."

‘Wayne has a strong mentality’

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal highlighted Rooney's strength of character following his hat-trick.

"It has given him always the confidence that a player needs," said the Dutchman.

"But I think Wayne has a very strong mentality and with his level he shall always come back and he proved that.

"I am very happy for him."