Jose wants skipper Wayne to stay at Old Trafford
JOSE MOURINHO had Wayne Rooney and Luke Shaw on his mind yesterday, with the Manchester United manager hoping his captain remains at Old Trafford next season and that the left-back proves his worth.
United will look to build on last week’s EFL Cup triumph against Southampton when they return to Premier League matters against Bourne- mouth lunchtime.
Neither Rooney or Shaw managed to get onto the pitch at Wembley but both are in the squad this weekend, with Mourinho clearly keen to get a point across about them in yesterday’s press conference.
“So Wayne Rooney to Everton,” he said, referring to this week’s reports.
“I only can say that in tomorrow the final with the result 2-2, with the team in difficulties, with the team possibly going to play 40 more minutes, Rooney was ready to come on.
“He is selected for tomorrow with possibilities to start or be on the bench and come in. He’s an important player for us.
“And I think by giving you these two details, I’m telling you all the talk about Everton for me makes nonsense.”
Everton have made clear their interest in bringing Rooney back to Goodison Park, while last week he rejected Chinese interest.
Asked if his skipper would remain next season, Mourinho said: “What I got was a very strong message of ‘I don’t go anywhere’, especially China because it was the market that was open until the end of February.
Shaw was not even in the squad against his former club at Wembley, just days after Mourinho said he was now United’s fourth-choice left-back.
The Portuguese laid down the gauntlet to the 21-year-old and could now reward him with a first Premier League appearance since October, confirming he is in the squad to face Bournemouth.
“Luke is working hard, he’s trying to improve,” said Mourino.