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Wayne Rooney played for the England national team in plenty of big competitions, making 120 appearances and scoring 53 goals across a 15-year association with the Three Lions. On the eve of the World Cup in Qatar, the Manchester United legend spoke about the current affairs in England and raised questions about manager Gareth Southgate’s team selection choices.
Rooney gave his public support to two of the struggling defenders who some of the fans and the media want to see on the bench, instead of playing in the starting lineup – Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.
Alexander-Arnold has been nothing short of terrific for Liverpool since his induction into the first-team fold from the club’s Academy. He has been a key to the way Jurgen Klopp wanted to play at Anfield, and in the last few years, many pundits put him among the very best defenders that have ever played in the Premier League, even though he is only 24 years of age. Alexander-Arnold’s most impressive aspects have been his attacking play including his ability to play pin-point crosses and free kicks. However, this season has been a different story with Alexander-Arnold playing below his usual standards and feeling more pressure as the Anfield side is behind leaders Arsenal by 15 points.
However, Rooney believes that Trent should still be included in the starting 11 at the World Cup.
“I think it has been overly exaggerated when it comes to Trent’s defensive vulnerabilities. The whole Liverpool team is struggling this season, and I believe it speaks to the whole unit, not only one player. The way Liverpool plays this season leaves defenders like Alexander-Arnold in plenty of one-on-one situations when is very difficult to protect the goal,” claimed Rooney.
A different Maguire for England
Harry Maguire has had a torrid time since joining Manchester United from Leicester a few years ago, he has been made a scapegoat for United’s dwindling form, and this season has been the toughest yet for the 29-year-old. As soon as Erik ten Hag arrived he signed Lisandro Martinez and paired him with Raphael Varane at the back and Maguire has been used sparingly. He has only three first-team appearances this season, with an injury keeping him out of training as well.
Rooney believes that the Manchester United defender should still get the starting nod for England.
“It’s similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold, you can’t blame a single player for the whole team’s failings. United didn’t have positive results over the years, there weren’t enough stability and structure, which ten Hag has now brought.”
Rooney would pick Maguire to play alongside John Stones in the middle of the defensive line for England with Alexander-Arnold and Luke Shaw taking flank positions. Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham would play in the midfield while Phil Foden would be positioned behind Harry Kane up front. Jordan Pickford rounds up Rooney starting 11 at the goalkeeping position.
England will start the World Cup on Monday, November 21st against Iran, and then will have to wait four days to face the United States. On November 29th they will end the group stage against Wales.
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