HOW ROONEY RATED

ENGLAND skipper Wayne Rooney kept his place in the national side for their World Cup qualifying 2-0 victory over Malta despite dropping to the bench at Manchester United in recent weeks. Here, we take a look the 30-year-old’s performance last night.

RECEPTION

There were a few audible jeers when Rooney’s name was read off the team-sheet ahead of kick-off. However, he was applauded whenever he made his way over to take corners and had supporters on their feet when he curled in a second-half free-kick which almost added a third goal for England.

WORK ETHIC

Laziness is never something that can be levelled at Rooney, even when things are not going his way. He played the entire contest and, while he was harried less and less as the Malta side tired, he was still tenacious in the tackle and directing his team-mates with instructions until the last. He also showed he can be a tough tackler, as a crunching challenge on Malta skipper Andre Schembri proved.

QUALITY

While the effort remains, the undoubted quality Rooney possesses still seems to be on the wane. He surrendered possession twice in the early stages and was outshone by his midfield partner Jordan Henderson, who played a role in both of the goals with the first coming from the kind of accurate, raking pass so often attributed to Rooney.

GOAL THREAT

England’s all-time leading goalscorer is unlikely to keep racking up the tally if he is deployed in midfield like he was last night but he did force a couple of smart stops out of Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.

OVERALL

Southgate followed on from predecessor Sam Allardyce by playing Rooney in a deeper role, but he got more out of his captain than the former boss managed in Slovakia. However, there still remain several questions over his long-term future in the side.