His 53 goals also make him the top scorer in Three Lions history, ahead of the likes of Bobby Charlton and Gary Lineker. “The door will always be open for Ross, but at this moment I felt the squad I picked is the right one”.
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Rooney, who created Rashford’s late goal with a fine run and pass from the byeline, praised the impact that Mourinho has made in such a short space of time and said it had been crucial for United to start the season well after their struggles in the years since legendary manager Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
James Milner, who has retired from worldwide football, was omitted along with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, now in the Under-21 squad, and the injured duo of Ryan Bertrand and Jack Wilshere.
West Ham’s Michail Antonio is perhaps the biggest surprise as he gets his first call-up for the England squad while Leicester duo Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy keep their places.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford drops down to the under-21s and Wayne Rooney was named among the midfielders.
Explaining his decision to bring in 26-year-old Antonio, who progressed through the divisions for the best part of a decade before landing at West Ham last September, Allardyce told FATV: “I think he’s in outstanding form”.
“I like an on-and-off-the-field captain if there is one, but if there isn’t one then being an on-the-field captain is the main basis”, he said. We’ve seen some fabulous players in cricket who couldn’t handle the captaincy.
Though Guardiola hasn’t played Joe Hart this season, Allardyce has entrusted the 29-year-old by pikcing him in his squad.
Allardyce joked that he was delighted to be free of the transfer-window stresses of a club manager, adding: “I’m exceptionally pleased that I’m not dealing with the last few days [of the window] in the Premier League”.
England drew 0-0 with Slovakia at Euro 2016, with Roy Hodgson’s changes backfiring as they finished second in Group B behind Wales, but Allardyce expects a different game this time.
“We have examined that game, we have watched that match but we have really focused on the games they have played at home”, he said.
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“The media play an important role in helping us to engage with the nation”.
