Chris Smalling : Only a matter of time before Rooney is back for United and England

09/26/2016

Despite being dropped by Jose Mourinho, Chris Smalling has backed his Manchester United and England teammate Wayne Rooney to come back soon. Smalling also called the win over Leicester City “a big moment” in the season and hoped that United can carry their form into the coming weeks.

Wayne Rooney, over the past few years, has been a shade of what he was in his early years. The fall which began under Sir Alex Ferguson has been bottomless as the Englishman has moved all around the pitch as managers attempted to fit him into their plans somehow. When Paul Pogba was brought into the squad, questions arose as to how Mourinho can accommodate both in the midfield. Critics and fans alike have asked the questions which appeared to have finally reached the manager's ears. In a big move, he dropped Rooney for the team's weekend joust against champions Leicester City. However, teammate Chris Smalling has backed his captain to come back sooner than later.

"He was the same, as in before the game when we're all getting ready," the defender said of Rooney. He added, "He is often one of the most vocal and he was the same on Saturday.

"Regardless of whatever the situation is, whatever game, whether he is on the bench or playing or whatever, he is always that same type of character and that's why he is England's main man and our main man.

"I think he's a very experienced guy and he's played that many games that I think it'll only be a matter of time before he's back in there and firing again because he's quality," reported Sky.

The move proved more than right as United ravaged the Leicester defence to bring up four goals by half-time. Chris Smalling scored the first of the four as Paul Pogba assisted one and scored one himself as well. Rooney was introduced only in the 83rd minute of the game.

Asked if the victory over defending champions Leicester was a big moment for the team, Smalling said: "Yeah, I think it is.

"I think there was a lot of talk for us to sort of turn the situation around because that was obviously a very bad week, the three results.

"But we could only really sort of show that we've changed by doing it on the pitch and I thought that first half was a great performance and really gave us a marker now to make sure we sort of attain to that.

"I think if we can start the game with that tempo, I think there's not many teams that can live with us.

"It is about finding that consistency to make sure that we stay at that top end of that table because we don't want any more blips. We've had our blip hopefully for quite a while."

"Hopefully we can take this into next week because we've got another two big games and at home as well so hopefully we can put on a show."