Wayne Rooney : I didn’t deserve to play the Leicester game

10/05/2016

Wayne Rooney believes he would have put himself on the bench after the Watford performance where Man United were thrashed 3-1 by the London-based team. Rooney, who is about to turn 31, said that he would never turn his back on England and would be happy to play off the bench for the Three Lions.

Following the Watford game, the Manchester United and England captain has found it difficult to find his way back into the starting line-up for the Jose Mourinho-managed side, but the 30-year-old was brutally honest in an interview with The Independent where he explained that his performance did not merit a start the following week. He did, however, mention that he was a fighter and was keen on making a comeback into the first eleven.

“Listen, I had a bad game at Watford. I played bad, I know that and I understand that. I didn't deserve to play the next game, I understood that, and the team have done well, so I have to bide my time and take my chance.”

“I think if he was picking the next team on the back of that, I understand not playing. The team have done well, certainly in the Leicester game since that. I understand I have to work hard and try and get back and try and get my chance and take it.”

“I am an honest player, I am honest with myself. I’ll fight. I won’t not fight for my place, I’ll fight to try and get back in,” the United captain said.

Rooney has been struggling with his form, providing just 1.7 key passes per game in the Premier League this season playing in the No. 10 role. When asked if whether he was worried about the same, he said that he thought he started the season well but agreed that his performances were well below his best.

“To be honest, I felt I started the season okay. Again I had a bad game, certainly a very bad second half, against Watford. But I am not worried, no. Of course, I know I can do better. If I don’t play very well, there is a massive over-hype which comes from everywhere really, so I have to just focus on playing,” the English captain explained.

Rooney has divided the fan base of not just Manchester United but also England with some fans not ready to accept the Liverpool-born player can do any wrong, while there is nothing the player can do to gain the trust of the other side. Rooney is well aware of the fact the player cannot always be in the fans’ good books and feels that it is more important for him to perform to the expectations of his manager and the people close to him.

“I don’t know. By some people yes, by others, no. That’s football, isn’t it? You divide opinions. Listen I am not a player who wants people to say how good he is. That’s not me. As long as people around me, and my manager, are happy, then I’m happy.”

The all-time England top-scorer has always said that he feels pride representing his country. Now he has gone a step further stating that he would be happy just being a part of the squad.

“I would accept being part of the squad because I love coming here and meeting up with England. Whether I am on the pitch or not, I feel I can help the players.

“If the manager turned around on Saturday / Tuesday and I was on the bench for two games, look of course, I want to play, but I am not going to turn around and say I am not playing for England again.

“I would turn up, of course, and try to get back into the team. But I think I can benefit the younger players around the squad,” concluded Rooney, who has the all-time appearance record for England in his sights as well.

Get updates! Follow us on

Open all