Jose Mourinho backs Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney as the man to lead England for World Cup qualifiers
Gareth Southgate has confirmed striker will remain skipper despite spending his time on the bench at Old Trafford
JOSE MOURINHO backs the decision to keep Wayne Rooney as England captain — after seeing his leadership while on the bench.
Roo has been left out of the line-up for the last two Manchester United wins, but Mourinho insists he is the RIGHT man to wear the armband for club and country.
In the 4-1 romp over Leicester last weekend, Wazza was out of his seat in the dugout as the goals went in — and his manager reckons he has a key role whether or not he starts games.
Mourinho said: “He is the captain, no matter what. It doesn’t matter whether he is on or off the pitch. Wayne is the captain of the club and the captain of the players. And that is difficult. To be the captain of everyone.
“So he has all the respect and all the support. He is a Manchester United man, he is a great professional and wants to win — of course he was happy when we scored. He is our man. He will score goals for us and he will work hard for us — I have no doubts about it.
“He speaks to the players and motivates people. He does exactly in the dressing room what he did a couple of weeks ago when he was starting matches. Wayne didn’t start two games but he played in both and he won in both, so there is no problem.”
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Roo came off the bench against Zorya in midweek.
After the game, Gareth Southgate announced he will stay Three Lions skipper.
Where he plays against Malta and Slovenia remains uncertain, but Mourinho says he is sure that Roo is right for the job.
He added: “Gareth is the national team manager.
“So any decision that he has with my players, I always respect. Gareth always has my support as Sam had, as Eriksson had, and all the ones in the FA in my time as a Chelsea manager or Manchester United manager."
Mourinho had special guests for the Zorya game — Diego Milito and Walter Samuel from his Inter Milan Treble- winning team.
The Special One’s task is now to make United as ruthless as when he was in charge of the Italian giants.
There have been concerns among United’s coaching staff about Anthony Martial’s form.
Last season, team-mates noticed how he pulled out late from matches — including the Europa match where Marcus Rashford came in for his debut — only to train the following day.
After victory in midweek he acted bizarrely by covering his face and wearing a hood as he walked past reporters.
However, Eric Bailly has been consistent since arriving from Villarreal — and the Ivory Coast centre-back wants to build on last weekend’s win over champions Leicester.
Bailly 22, said: “The Leicester game was very difficult, but luckily we were really switched on. It’s important we carry on playing like that. We always have to take advantage of playing at home.
“Last week was a good step forward, but we have to take it step by step, game by game and keep picking up points. My first few weeks in England have been good. I’m feeling quite calm.
“The manager has been great and he is always there to help us. So I have to listen to him and try to improve.”
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