I hopefully want to finish my career at United. Ian Wright. He came through non-league and I think he turned professional when he was 23 and was called up for England when he was 26. But at some point it’s going to come to an end, whether that’s [in] two years’ [or] four years’ time.
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Rooney made his debut for England at the age of 17 in 2003 and was named to the UEFA team of the tournament at Euro 2004 the following year.
“Fifteen years of global football is a lot of years”. I’ve had nothing to think about since then.
England plays Slovakia in its opening World Cup qualifier on Sunday, for what will be Allardyce’s first game in charge.
Allardyce admits he will expect Rooney to become his voice in the pitch and a player prepared to make changes during the game if required. Every time I’ve played for England I’m proud to do so. It’s a huge honour for me.
However, after England’s dismal Euro 2016 exit to Iceland there were suggestions that Rooney’s 13-year global career might be over. But Allardyce is expected to be more flexible in his approach, at times using a 4-3-3 formation that is likely to mean the captain dropping into a deeper role on occasion.
‘I’m looking forward to this new regime.
Rooney has not yet discussed with Allardyce what position he will play.
“Since we’ve been here the camp’s been good”.
He told FATV: “The first day [of training] was really good”. Surely if you’re going to win something and that player is of the calibre to force his way into our national side then you give him an opportunity.
Rooney continued: “It’s always exciting when you get a new manager”. “We have to (move on from previous disappointments)”.
“Maybe sometimes we have to dig one out here and there – let’s be resilient and tough”.
“He will want to find out why we keep tripping up”.
“His journey is something that deserves to be in this squad and me to have a look at as a potential player going forward”, Allardyce said.
And Rooney found time to congratulate the newest call-up to the senior set-up, West Ham’s Michail Antonio.
Antonio began his career with Tooting & Mitcham, and was loaned out to a series of clubs during his subsequent spell at Reading, before impressing with Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and now West Ham.
“He’s started the season well”.
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“I wasn’t sure I could take him seriously but he showed me a piece of paper (confirming the squad) and after that I started welling up inside”.
