Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho backed to bring out the best of England skipper Wayne Rooney… as a deep-lying midfielder
Red Devils icon Byran Robson reckons new manager can help striker transform into Old Trafford's next Paul Scholes
JOSE MOURINHO will be good for Manchester United — but he could be very special for Wayne Rooney and England.
Bryan Robson believes that Mourinho’s entrance as Old Trafford manager might just be the best thing that has happened to the Three Lions skipper in quite some time.
Far from seeing Saturday’s Euro 2016 opener with Russia as the start of the striker’s swansong, Robson reckons the Special One will help Rooney lead out the side at the 2018 World Cup.
Manchester United legend Robson looked on with disbelief as some critics have written off the Three Lions’ 52–goal record scorer, insisting he cannot keep pace with fellow hitmen Daniel Sturridge and Harry Kane.
But Robbo is sure that Rooney, 30, still has so much to give for his country in a deep position.
Robson, who captained England 64 times, said: “Mourinho’s influence will, I am certain, extend Wayne’s career.
“It will definitely get him to the World Cup in Russia as captain.
“I think Mourinho will look to use Wayne in that deeper-lying Paul Scholes role that he played in towards the end of the season.
“I am sure that Mourinho will enjoy the way he gets on the ball, and the way he keeps possession.
“He is more of a creative passer than any of the other United lads and I think Mourinho will be good for Wayne as I think he will get the best out of him.
“Wayne can really develop in that deeper position, for England and for United, because Mourinho is such a good man-manager.
“You never see his players come out and criticise him and that’s obviously because he tries to get the best out of them.”
Robson led England into three major finals — the last of which was Italia 90, where they reached the last four.
He said: “Mourinho’s arrival has ended all the doubts and questions around my old club.
“United will now move forward. Jose can make the team really successful and Wayne is one of those who will benefit the most.
“And England will get the spin-off from that. You look at people like Kane, Jamie Vardy and Sturridge, who have the legs to go down the side.
“Wayne’s never been that quick but now the more he gets on the ball the more he’ll enjoy his football.
“People always snipe at the best players — which is what’s been happening to Wayne.
“When United are not having a good time it’s Wayne’s fault and it’s the same with England.
“Not that England are having a bad time at the moment — but as soon as they get in trouble Wayne is singled out.
“He is the one who takes most of the flak yet he’s the most open–hearted and honest player England have.
“Mourinho will recognise that at United — after all, he did try to buy him a couple of years ago when he went back to Chelsea.
“Now, over the next couple of years, Wayne is going to have a club manager who will get the best out of him — and I’m sure it will be in that deeper role.
“Thanks to that, England will benefit.”
Robson, now 59 and still the longest-serving United captain at 12 years, said: “People are saying Wayne should be taking a back seat with England.
“The opposite can happen. Mourinho can make him an even more effective player over the next couple of years.
“We may not have seen the best of Wayne yet. The best, thanks to Mourinho’s arrival, may be yet to come.”