Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has been dropped to the bench for the visit of Premier League champions Leicester to Old Trafford on Saturday.
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Rooney, who has started United’s first five Premier League games of the season, and played in the EFL Cup match against Northampton Town in midweek, has netted only once so far this term.
Mourinho then defended captain Wayne Rooney, who has been in poor form as United suffered three sttaight defeats.
“I think he’s (Mourinho) been brilliant since he’s come in”, the midfielder said. “I listen to my coaches and my teammates, the people around me, and I don’t really listen to what a lot of people out there are saying because a lot of it is rubbish”, Rooney told MUTV. I’m blaming the people that, after England-Slovakia were, in my opinion, too strong with somebody that is a very important player in the history of English football, is the captain of England, is the record scorer of goals.
However, despite Rashford’s big impact, Merson thinks there’s too much pressure heaped upon the young England striker.
The 18-year-old has only started one Premier League game this season, but has impressed every time he has been given playing time. When he is on the pitch, he gives 100 per cent.
Luke Shaw joined Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in being picked out for under-performing, seemingly going against the protection of his players he ranks so highly.
“But the reality is I look at them and they are very good, they are very good”.
Observers have called into question Mourinho’s tactics and team selections, while there have been suggestions the manager’s criticism of individual players has not gone down well in the dressing room.
However, former top-level players such as Alan Shearer have suggested United manager Jose Mourinho should think of dropping Rooney. We were punished by the fact we only played well for moments, in football you have to be consistent during 90 minutes.
“He’s our captain, but of course, no privileges”.
“A few years ago my aim was to score as many goals as I could to show people my talents and what I could do”.
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‘It’s part of your culture and part of the culture of this country. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t trust him or you have a problem with him. Rooney has to pick it up, or even Mourinho won’t be able to keep putting him in the team.
