Johannesburg - England striker Wayne Rooney has been warned by a referee to control his temper in order to avoid another World Cup red card.

Rooney was booked in England's final tune-up game for the World Cup, a 3-0 win against local side Platinum stars on Monday in Rustenburg. South African match official Jeff Selogilwe said the Manchester United striker used "vulgar language" against him.

Rooney apologized after the game and gave the referee his shirt.

"He must learn to control his temper. He could get sent off in the World Cup," Selogilwe was quoted as saying.

"He is a good player when you see him on the TV but when you see him on the pitch, he just keeps on insulting the referees."

Rooney was sent off at the 2006 World Cup for stamping on Portugal's Ricardo Carvalho, as England went on to lose the quarter-final match on penalties.