MX23RW : Friday, November 15 21:58:48| >> :60:2953:2953:

Paul Ince urges Jose Mourinho to stick with Wayne Rooney as number 10

Paul Ince backs Wayne Rooney following criticism of the Manchester United captain's form.

Paul Ince has urged Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho not to drop Wayne Rooney as he believes that the club captain is the best number 10 at Old Trafford.

Rooney has attracted criticism in the early stages of the season following a handful of lacklustre performances on the pitch.

The 30-year-old has played in a deeper role on occasion, but last night started up front as he registered just one shot on target in a 3-1 victory over Northampton Town in the third round of the EFL Cup.

Despite Rooney's recent performances, Ince has given his backing to the player, claiming that the England international is an easy target.

"Everyone can jump the gun and say 'drop Rooney' because he's a standout high-profile player who isn't performing, but if you drop him who do you play instead?" Ince wrote in his Paddy Power blog.

"There's no-one at Manchester United who is better than him as a number 10. Rooney shouldn't be in midfield. End of.

"You're talking about England's greatest goalscorer, and you're wasting him in midfield. When he plays that position he comes too deep to get on the ball, and you really need him in the final third."

United will try to avoid three successive Premier League defeats when they take on the defending champions Leicester City at the weekend.

ID:281812: cacheID:281812:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2398:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on August 19, 2016
Read Next:
Mourinho hits out at "football Einsteins"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!