Wayne Rooney has been left out of England’s squad for the upcoming games against Germany and Lithuania.
Rooney lost his starting place for Manchester United last September, and has been out of the squad recently due to injury.
It appears his lack of playing time at club level has hurt his international career.
The 31-year-old may be still England captain, but he’s not in their latest squad, and Jake Livermore is. That has to make Rooney evaluate his current predicament.
Richly deserved… https://t.co/pqrn2jvcj0
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) March 16, 2017
England manager Gareth Southgate played down Rooney’s absence from his squad. It appears as though it was a straight forward decision, even though the forward could be fit for this weekend’s game against Middlesbrough.
“I’ve talked with Wayne and I think there’s a chance he’s fit for the weekend,” Southgate told reporters on Thursday.
“But also, the injury, coupled with the fact he’s really not had a lot of game time recently, and others have in that area of the pitch, has sort of determined my decision on that one.”
Rooney has started just four games in 2017. However, his United teammate Luke Shaw, has played just twice since November, and he’s in the England squad.
So, it could be argued Rooney’s absence isn’t solely down to a lack of playing time, and this is a sign he’s not in Southgate’s plans.
That appears to be view of many on social media, who reckon Rooney’s time in an England jersey could be coming to an end.
Southgate says there's a chance Rooney could be fit for #MUFC at w/end. That makes his omission from England squad all the more interesting
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) March 16, 2017
The only thing shocking about Rooney not making the England squad is that it didn't happen sooner. Great servant but running on fumes now.
— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) March 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/Chris_J_Donovan/status/842406792369963008
https://twitter.com/kunfazed/status/842409069004619777
https://twitter.com/ryandevlin1919/status/842414663363104768
Didn't even clock that Rooney wasn't in the England squad 😂
— Lee Mulholland (@Lee_mulholland) March 16, 2017
Southgate drops Rooney does this spell the end of his England career?
— tony clark (@TonyTCClark) March 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/nobodyisdaks/status/842410938200412160
https://twitter.com/ajtickle/status/842413820316418050
