adminLONDON. — Wayne Rooney wants to play as a holding midfielder for England at Euro 2016, Sky sources understand. Roy Hodgson named his squad for the forthcoming friendlies against Turkey, Australia and Portugal yesterday morning. Rooney has been used both as a striker and as a central midfielder by Louis van Gaal this season but it is understood Hodgson will use him on the left wing in a 4-3-3 system following conversations between the two.
Another option would be to use England’s all-time leading goalscorer at the top of a midfield diamond or as a “number 10”, where he has also been used by Manchester United this season.
Sky sources understand Rooney has told the England manager that he would prefer to play at the bottom of the diamond, effectively as a holding midfielder. But Hodgson insists Rooney is not guaranteed a place in his starting XI at Euro 2016. With Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy scoring 49 goals between them for Tottenham and Leicester this season, Rooney’s England place has come under threat.
The 30-year-old has been used both as a striker and as a central midfielder by United boss Louis van Gaal this season, but it is understood Hodgson plans to use Rooney on the left wing in a 4-3-3 system following conversations between the two.
However, speaking after the squad announcement, Hodgson said Rooney’s place was not cast in stone ahead of England’s first game of the tournament against Russia on June 11.
“Rooney is the captain and he’s done fantastically for England. He’s been very important during the qualifiers and we are grateful,” he said.
“But I’ve got three matches before Russia. Who knows what’s going to happen in those games?
“To my knowledge, he certainly isn’t demanding he will play in the opening game and I am under no pressure to select him in the opening game unless I deem him the right man for the job.”
Teenager Marcus Rashford has already taken Rooney’s place in the Manchester United forward line, now he threatens to do the same at international level after Hodgson included him on Monday in his 26-man preliminary squad for Euro 2016.
The 18-year-old’s stunning impact at Old Trafford since making his debut in February has earned him the chance to force his way on the plane to France, just as question marks are being raised about where skipper Rooney will fit in.
Both are listed in the five forwards Hodgson has pencilled in for the tournament, although that number is likely to drop to four with Leicester City’s title winner Jamie Vardy, Tottenham Hotspur’s Golden Boot winner Harry Kane and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge almost certain to make the cut.
Rashford, however, could be Hodgson’s wildcard should any of that trio suffer a setback in the warm-up games against Turkey, Australia and Portugal.
Hodgson tempered talk of Rashford being in the final 23.
“We have had good feedback from Manchester United on the player,” he said.
“We have a good group of forward players and plenty of players who can be in the front positions.
“If he continues to develop, there is no reason why he cannot become a regular in the England team.” — Sky Sports.
Online Reporter
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