Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs hasn’t given up on Wayne Rooney just yet.
Once he was a nailed-on starter for club and country, but Rooney’s dire form this season has seen him lose his spot for both United and England.
Mourinho dropped Rooney to the bench prior to the international break and he was subsequently sidelined again for England’s 0-0 World Cup qualifying draw in Slovenia on Tuesday. It was a snorefest, by all accounts, with Joe Hart sparing the Three Lions’ blushes, but Rooney’s absence until the 73rd minute was noteworthy.
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Giggs was working as a pundit in the ITV studio for the game and he thinks he’s found the root of the Rooney problem. He believes Rooney is still trying to acclimatise to a more advanced role under Jose Mourinho after years of transitioning towards midfield.
“I see a player who’s going through a transitional period. I went through it when I was 29 or 30, where I was a winger and I couldn’t knock it around a defender and get it the other side.”
“I feel a little bit sorry for him. Towards the end of last season and for England in the summer he was played in that deeper role, then he was told he’s playing as a No. 9 or a No. 10. He’s probably a bit confused.”
However, Giggs doesn’t believe that all hope is lost for Rooney and he backs him to make the necessary adjustments to start playing quality football again.
“The only way he can get it back is on the training pitch. I don’t see him playing in a specific position, he’s got the talent to play so many positions, and the experience.”
