Daily Times

MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho insists Wayne Rooney can still be a key figure for Manchester United despite dropping the England striker for Saturday’s 4-1 win against Leicester.

After a series of underwhelming performances from the United captain, Mourinho left Rooney on the bench. His absence didn’t make a difference as the Premier League champions, Leicester City, were crushed at Old Trafford.

Juan Mata, who stepped into Rooney’s number 10 role, was among the scorers, but United manager Mourinho is adamant his axed star remains an important member of the team.

“Wayne Rooney is a big player for me, United and this country. He is my man, I trust him completely. He is happy,” Mourinho told Sky Sports after Rooney was limited to a seven-minute substitute appearance at the end of the second half.

United were beaten in their previous two league games and Jose could not afford to gamble and play Rooney.

He was delighted with the way his team effortlessness put four past Leicester in the first half. “It was a very good performance and result. It is not easy against them and not easy to win in the style that we did,” Mourinho said.

“Today we had intensity, movement and dynamism. To be back home and beat the champions is good. Last season we couldn’t beat them and this season we have beaten them twice already.”

“We have lost six points in the Premier League. We have four victories which is really important. Today it is about the security and the happiness of the fans, I don’t remember the last time that they had such a lead at half time.”