The Independent’s Henry Winter says Wayne Rooney needs help now to lift himself out of the doldrums. While his Manchester United teammates continue their fine form in the Premiership and Champions League, Rooney has been all but silent since scoring twice on opening day six weeks ago. Winter blames referee Ruud Bossen for the sudden drop in the striker’s confidence. Ever since his unwarranted (according to Winter) dismissal in a preseason tournament in Amsterdam, “Rooney has been assailed by self-doubt.” Why? After his high-profile sending off against Portugal in Germany and a supposed dispute with Portuguese United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney was immediately sent off again in one of his first matches of the year with his club team. Winter says the talented striker is now visibly holding back: pulling out of tackles, losing 50-50 challenges and generally showing less tenacity than what we’ve been accustomed to. And it all falls on the shoulders of the Dutch referee, who unnecessarily added insult to injury, according to Winter. What Rooney needs now is for three important England figures to step up and help him out of the doldrums: England coach Steve McClaren, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and team psychologist Bill Beswick. Rooney was suspended for England’s last two outings so he hasn’t been in the presence of the trio since the World Cup. The next England camp lasts 10 days; Rooney would do well to use those days to speak with Gerrard about a similar situation he faced a few years ago, seek counsel and support from England boss McClaren, and then talk it all out with team psychologist Beswick.