‘I can’t dress it up, others are playing better’

for another top-flight club, he said: “I’ve played for two Premier League clubs and I’ve always said they’re the only two I’ll play for.”

Rooney, 32 in October, has a year left on a £300,000-a-week contract and says United manager Jose Mourinho wants him to stay. But he is frustrated that he is no longer a starter for the big games, as in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

Rooney said: “If you’re asking me if I am a better player now than I was 10 years ago, obviously I’m not but I still feel I’ve got other qualities that can help the team.”

Rooney’s international career also looks over after 119 caps. Southgate, above, said: “We have a lot of players playing exceptionally well in the area of the pitch that Wayne plays. I can’t dress it up any other way. Other players are in really good form and deserve to keep their place.”

One of those is United team-mate Marcus Rashford who will not now go to the European Under-21 Championships.

“It would be inconceivable not to put him in the senior squad,” said Southgate. “He is in the squad on merit and has been for a year.

“The question then is: could he have gone with the U21s after that? In my opinion, no.

“He’s a 19-year-old player who’s had an exceptional season and by then will have had virtually 60 matches. Somebody has to protect him.

“Somebody has to manage the development of a young player, and that has to be my call.”

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