Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Wayne Rooney has 'got some decisions to make this summer' - Southgate

Gareth Southgate has hinted Wayne Rooney may have to leave Manchester United to win back his England place.

Rooney, 31, has been omitted from the England squad to play Scotland and France, after also missing games against Germany and Lithuania in March.

Southgate told a news conference that there is a way back for the 31-year-old, but suggested the United captain will have to leave Old Trafford to secure more regular first-team football.

"From Wayne's point of view he hasn't played very much this season" Southgate said. "Wayne's got some decisions to make this summer, but the hope is that he's back. A player of his quality there is no way we would dismiss him.

"You want your players playing in the biggest possible games. I've no idea what the future is for Wayne at Manchester United so it's impossible for me to comment if he's part of the plans or not.

"I've spoken to him in the past but not this time.

"I think there's only so many times you can speak about the situation. I'm conscious from his point of view that it's always a big story when you don't select him."

Rooney, who has been linked with Everton and a move to China, said after the Europa League final he had "more or less" made a decision about his future.

Southgate has also defended the FA's decision to omit Marcus Rashford from the under-21 squad for this summer's European Championships.

The 19-year-old United striker is eligible for the tournament in Poland but after being named in the senior squad for the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on June 10 and the friendly against France in Paris on June 13, he will not be part of Aidy Boothroyd's squad.

It is a boost for Jose Mourinho, who should now have Rashford available for the preseason tour of the United States in July.

Southgate added: "In my eyes, he's a senior player. Some of our best players are our youngest."

Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne has pulled out of the squad because of injury, Southgate added.

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