'Wayne Rooney is England's best player for over a decade', - new Man U coach Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has offered a ­ringing endorsement of Wayne Rooney on the eve of Euro 2016 by declaring that he remains England’s best player and has been “for over a ­decade”.

With Rooney’s role in Roy Hodgson’s team under intense scrutiny, his new club manager at Manchester United was unequivocal in support of the 30-year-old captain.

“Wayne is and has been England’s best player for over a decade,” Mourinho said on the confirmation that Rooney’s United testimonial will be at Old Trafford against his former club, Everton, on Aug 3.

Mourinho attempted to sign Rooney from United when he ­returned as Chelsea manager in 2014. However, despite a number of bids, Chelsea were frustrated in their pursuit and, despite Mourinho’s urging, Rooney stopped short of submitting a formal transfer ­request, with United insisting he would not be sold to another ­Premier League club for any price.
Since then, Rooney has become far more settled and has led the club through the difficult years since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. This month, he spoke of his excitement at Mourinho’s appointment, hailing him as “one of the best managers in the world”, and the two have spoken on the phone about the manager’s plans for United.
Rooney faces a strange situation with England, however, in that he goes into Euro 2016 in a better frame of mind than he has done for any tournament since his breakthrough at Euro 2004, but with his place in the team far less certain than it ever has been.