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Thursday March 28, 2024

Rooney still has role to play for club and country: Scholes

By our correspondents
March 27, 2017

LONDON: England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney can still play a useful role for both his country and club Manchester United, his former teammate Paul Scholes told the BBC on Sunday.

Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in his 119 international appearances, is not definitively out of the England picture, according to coach Gareth Southgate, although lack of first team football at United is not helping his case for inclusion.

Rooney, who is also his club’s record goalscorer having passed icon Bobby Charlton’s mark earlier this season, has been linked with a move in the close season after 13 years with United.

The 31-year-old has been linked with a lucrative transfer to the China Super League whilst his former club Everton have expressed an interest.

However, Scholes — capped 66 times — says it would be a loss for both England and United if his former teammate at United and in the national side was dispensed with.

“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,” the 42-year-old told 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.”