Waning Rooney sees future in the midfield

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, who has played as a striker all through his football career, says he is now happy to feature in a more withdrawn role.

He played deeper in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Bournemouth in the final match of the English Premier League (EPL) at the Old Trafford stadium. The England captain scored the opener and set up Ashley Young for the third.

The 30-year-old has lost his speed and spark required to be a typical frontman. He has also struggled in the EPL this season.

"Sometimes you have to make choices in your career and at the moment it's better for me to play deeper," Rooney was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"It could be a bit different for England where I could still be the striker but probably next season that's where I see myself playing."

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy of Leicester City, Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and Rooney's 18-year-old United team-mate Marcus Rashford were the other strikers to be named in the 26-member provisional England squad for Euro 2016 put forth by head coach Roy Hodgson.

"I'm sure Roy Hodgson will have his ideas of where he thinks is best for me," Rooney said.

"It could be where I play for England, but that's down to Roy. I'm sure we'll speak when we meet up and he'll tell me where he wants me to play."

--IANS

dd/pur/dg