Wayne Rooney: 'I have to work hard to regain Manchester United starting place'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 04 October 2016

Wayne Rooney eyes return to Man Utd team

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney admits that he has his work cut out if he is to regain his place in Jose Mourinho's starting lineup.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has admitted that he will need to "work hard" to win his place back in the team's starting XI.

Manager Jose Mourinho has left the 30-year-old out of his side for the last three matches in all competitions following criticism of his early-season form.

However, Rooney is keen to work his way back into the first-team plans after he returns from international duty with Gareth Southgate's England.

"As a football player you want to play. It is my job, I love football and love being involved. I am not starting at the moment at Manchester United but I have to work hard to get back in the starting 11 and when I get chances take them," he told reporters.

"I don't know [whether I will start for England]. That is a question for Gareth. It is getting tiring [being asked where he wants to play], I have answered it many times. It is same answer, I will play where the manager wants me to play. I have never picked myself."

Southgate has confirmed that Rooney will stay on as his captain for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.