Wayne Rooney is still useful for England, insists Scholes
England's all-time top goal scorer Wayne Rooney can still play a helpful role for club and country, his old team mate Paul Scholes claims.
England's all-time top goal scorer Wayne Rooney can fulfill a helpful role for club and country, his old team mate Paul Scholes believes. Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in 119 internationals, is not definitively out of the England picture, according to coach Gareth Southgate, although a lack of first team action at United is not helping his cause.
Rooney overtakes Charlton's United tally
The 31-year-old forward, who also passed Bobby Charlton's club goals record earlier this season, has been linked with a move in the close season after 13 years at Old Trafford. He has been linked with a lucrative transfer to the China Super League whilst his old club Everton have also expressed an interest.
Rooney's experience will come in handy, says Scholes
However, Scholes, who was capped 66 times by England himself, feels it would be a loss for both the national team and United if his former team mate was allowed to fester. “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”, Scholes explained to the BBC. “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.
Scholes hopes Rooney will see out his contract at Old Trafford
“I don't want to talk about him going to another English club”, added Scholes in reference to Rooney's United contract which will expire in 2018, “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”.
Rooney found himself left out of Southgate’s England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Germany and this evening’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.
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