Wayne Rooney: Deeper midfield role with England suits me

Wayne Rooney has said it suits him to play in a deep midfield role for England despite Manchester United using him in a different way as a No 10. Rooney was played in midfield by United at the end of last season by previous manager Louis van Gaal, but the Dutchman’s successor Jose Mourinho does not want to use him in that role.

But England manager Sam Allardyce chose to play Rooney deep in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Slovakia, even though he had claimed beforehand that the player would be used in a similar role to the one he plays for his club.

After the match, Rooney said that was where Allardyce wanted him to play — but the England manager said Rooney went where he wanted to go on the pitch. Asked whether it was a surprise to play there for England, Rooney told ITV Sport: “No, that’s where Sam wanted me to play. We worked on it through the week.

“Once the team was announced, a lot thought I’d play higher — but it suits me for this team, the way we play. I have no problem playing there.”

Allardyce said: “Today, [he went] wherever he wanted to go, because he was brilliant. He controlled the game. Sometimes he played a little deep, but I can’t stop Wayne if he wants to.”