Skip to main content

Rooney tired of questions over best position

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney

The debate over whether Wayne Rooney is best as a striker, a number 10 or in midfield has become a tiresome subject for the England captain.

Wayne Rooney insists he will have no influence over his role in the England team.

Interim England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed Rooney would retain the captaincy of the national side in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s departure, despite him losing his starting spot at Manchester United.

Rooney’s performance during Allardyce’s sole game in charge — the last-gasp 1-0 World Cup qualifying win in Slovakia — was widely criticized, particularly after the then manager told a post-match news conference “Wayne played wherever he wanted to.”

Having dropped into a midfield role for United towards the end of last season and during Euro 2016, Rooney’s best position remains a topic of debate, with his performances as a number 10 this term leading to Jose Mourinho benching him at Old Trafford.

Asked at a news conference whether he was guaranteed to start when minnows Malta visit Wembley in Group F on Saturday, Rooney said: “I don’t know, I think that’s a question for Gareth.

“And also, another question for England about where I play — it’s getting a bit tired, the questions about whether I play striker, midfield, number 10. I’ve answered that question many times and it’s the same answer. I’ll play where the manager wants me to play. I don’t pick myself, I haven’t picked myself ever for England. I’ve played to instructions and I’m sure the instructions Gareth gives me — whether to play or not to play — are instructions which I will try and do to the best of my ability.”

Rooney is disappointed not to be first choice for Mourinho at present but is accepting of his situation at club level.

“Of course, you want to play as a football player. It’s my job, I love football, I love being involved in the team,” he added. “Obviously I’m not starting at the minute for Manchester United but I’ve got to work hard to get back in the starting XI and when I get my chances take them.

“The most important thing is that we win.”

Marcus Rashford’s impressive form for United is part of the reason for Rooney finding himself among the substitutes, with a return to the senior England squad the reward for the 18-year-old striker this week.

Rooney believes Rashford has the ability to establish himself as a fixture in the England setup.

“I think it’s important we’ve got exciting young players and good young players who get the rewards they deserve,” he added. “I think he deserves it. He’s been fantastic since he got into the Manchester United squad and he’s carried that on this season.

“I hope [he can become an England regular]. I think he’s a fantastic player, a young player with a great attitude. He’s got all the ability so I don’t see any reason why he can’t.”

Goal.com

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...
Post a Comment
Read more