Jose Mourinho is the new boss at Man United, meaning several changes can be expected. One question that many have been asking since the Portuguese’s arrival at Old Trafford is what the impact will be on Wayne Rooney’s reign.
The Englishman is clearly a respected figure among the Red Devils rank, having been at the Theatre of Dreams since 2004. His influence in games has dipped in recent seasons, a witnessed in his midfield role, but the 30-year-old still commands respect in the dressing room.
As a result, the Special One admitted that the Three Lions skipper will be key to Man United’s plans for the upcoming 2016/17, highlighting Rooney’s leadership as a key factor for trusting the attacker.
Currently in Shanghai for the pre-season, Mourinho said (as per Goal): "I am quite surprised with so many question marks around this guy. I know that at the national team level you have this capacity of trying to make things complicated for yourself, so what happened around him in the summer was not a surprise for me.
"But in my club we are not going to have that. He is the club captain, he is the manager's captain, he is the players' captain. I trust him a lot. I think he's going to be a very important player for me and no problem for him."
However, the former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan boss insisted that although Rooney remains his captain, the Man United will still have to work hard in order to prove himself.
"He knows that he has to work hard, he knows that but I think that is nothing new in his career. Everything he got I see nobody offer him, he had to fight for it. With me it is not going to be different. But, yes, he is my captain."
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