Rio Ferdinand has defended former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney in the wake of the striker's recent red card.

The England and United skipper came under fire earlier this week following his sending-off against West Ham United for a lunge on Stewart Downing.

Rooney was quick to apologise for his antics, although Ferdinand believes that the 28-year-old has matured drastically in recent years.

"When you score a hat-trick on your debut, things are going to get blown out of proportion," the Queens Park Rangers centre-back is quoted as saying by ESPN, referring to Rooney's treble against Fenerbache in 2004. "When he first came through the door at United, Wazza was a feisty, aggressive trailblazer.

"He was aggressive and crazy on and off the pitch and you never quite knew what was coming next with him. The way he has evolved to be the England and Man United captain is testament to him in how he has turned things around. I don't know if curbing his aggression on the pitch has taken away from his football side, I question that.

"Now he is in a position where he can beat the England and Man United goal-scoring record so he has to be doing something right."

United are currently seventh in the Premier League table following an indifferent start to the season.