Scholes calls on United to keep Rooney

PAUL SCHOLES believes Wayne Rooney still has a role to play for both Manchester United and England, and claims his old club and country teammate is far from finished.

Rooney (caricature) was left out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to Germany and yesterday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, amid concerns over the lack of playing time he has earned under Jose Mourinho this season.

The 31-year-old striker has made only nine Premier League starts for United this season, scoring just five club goals, and his Old Trafford future is in doubt.

However, Scholes feels Rooney should remain part of the set-up at both club and international level, as he has valuable experience to pass on to both sides’ younger players.

“Wayne has been a sensational footballer for England and Manchester United for nearly 15 years. He is greatly respected and I still think he has a part to play with United and England,” he said.

“He has great experience, he can pass knowledge on to young players and it’s up to Gareth if and when he wants to use it.

“I don’t want to talk about him going to another English club, I hope he gets himself back into the United team. He has a fight on his hands but the Wayne Rooney I know is someone who will face that challenge and try to do it.

“He still has a prominent role to play for England and United. There’s been a lot of speculation over where he goes now but Wayne, with what he’s done, has earned the right to do what he wants to do. I hope he does stay and fight.”

Southgate has denied that Rooney’s international career is over, despite the striker’s omission from his latest squad.

“He’s absolutely [in my thinking],” he said. “I didn’t quite understand why we were talking about tributes when he has still got every chance of being in this team.

“I’m conscious that we’ll be talking about Wayne again and I’m hoping to be talking about the players who are here, but there’s no reason why he is finished with us.” – The Independent two clubs who will miss out.

The Sky Sports pundit suggests that United “might have had too many home draws in the first part of the season” to qualify for next season’s Champions League through the traditional route.

“Arsenal usually falter in February and March, then reach the top four with a late run in April and May, but I don’t see it happening after their defeat at West Bromwich Albion,” he adds.

“As long as there are doubts over Arsène Wenger’s future, it gives the weak personalities in their squad another excuse.” – Agencies