MX23RW : Friday, November 8 21:12:52| >> :60:529:529:

Jose Mourinho: 'Wayne Rooney affected by England criticism'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho claims that Wayne Rooney has been affected by the criticism he received following England's match against Slovakia.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that the criticism Wayne Rooney received following this month's match between England and Slovakia affected the player.

England were unconvincing as they scraped a late 1-0 victory in Sam Allardyce's first match in charge, with captain Rooney among the players to get the bulk of the blame.

Rooney has since faced questions over his form for United too, and Mourinho believes that the criticism aimed at the 30-year-old has been "too strong".

"Honestly, I think there was a Wayne before the Slovakia-England and a Wayne after the Slovakia-England. And I am not blaming Sam, not at all," he told reporters.

"I am blaming the people that after the England-Slovakia was, in my opinion, too strong with somebody that is a very important player in the history of English football, is the captain of England, is the record of goals, is almost the record of matches.

"I think it was too much but I still think, that a big boy like he is, he has to face it in a strong way. That's what he tries every time. When he is on the pitch, he gives 100%. Always, always."

Mourinho has also defended Rooney's form for United, insisting that their recent slump in results is down to the team and not just one player.

ID:281885: cacheID:281885:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2425:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Claudio Ranieri celebrates at the end of the Premier League game between Watford and Leicester City on March 5, 2016
Read Next:
Ranieri: 'Rooney would not get in my team'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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!