The pair have exchanged barbs over Van Dijk's form for the struggling Premier League champions.
Speaking about Van Dijk on the Overlap Fan Debate podcast, Rooney said: “My job now is to give my opinions. I like to think I try and be straight and honest with my opinions on what I feel and what I see.
“I said on my podcast the other day, the one thing where I maybe went a bit too strong is where I said he’s maybe downed tools since he signed a new contract – that’s a big statement to say, so maybe I was wrong on that.
“But from a performance level, from what we’ve seen, Van Dijk, I don’t think he’s been at the level he has this season.
“I said I’m sure as captain he’d be speaking to players, taking the team out for food, which he said he has done. Clearly, if he’s felt he’s done that, he’s had to do that, then there’s something not right.
“As champions, you can’t lose four games in a row. If you lose one game, there’s questions, and if you lose four in a row, there’s something not right.
“I think getting involved too much in the outside noise – that’s our job. Focus on your game, because as a younger player, I’d be looking at Van Dijk and how he reacts to this, how is that going to help them? I just think you have to get on with your game and speak internally.”