Shrek

Would rather see a testimonial organised where we play the best of the US team or something and Rooney plays a half for both. Would seem a better idea to me if it's for charity.

Would have been a useless friendly to begin with.

You can bet Tottenham players to be pulling out anyway, with injuries, of course.

Hang him!

YOU, sad little attention seeking wumtard, should be on your knees licking Englands highest ever goal scorers balls.

Rooney: 53 goals for England

You: zzzzz zzzzzzz
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I'm not sure you understand what a WUM is, or an attention seeker. Plenty of threads on here which fall into that category, this isn't one of them.

Some decent opinions here, IMO:
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The biggest challenge facing international football is convincing fans that it is still relevant. So, who had the bright idea to give Wayne Rooney a 120th England cap next week against the United States?

The cynical view is that the FA thinks the DC United player’s presence will sell a few more tickets for an uninspiring match-up. It undermines Gareth Southgate’s message to England’s young hopefuls that there are no cheap caps.

The main justification is that the game will raise money for Rooney’s charitable foundation. Few would object to that. A sensible solution would be for England’s record goalscorer to come on the pitch before the game, accept a trinket from an FA bigwig and take the applause before retiring to the stands. Instead he will be taking a cap away from a squad member aiming to cement a place in the team.

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/wayne-rooney-england-selection-cheapens-the-shirt-a3980996.html


ALAN SHEARER: Wayne Rooney should be an England guest not a player as facing USA in testimonial will hit preparation for Croatia clash

But I keep hearing managers and players complaining that there is too much football.

And now we are to have a testimonial in mid-November.

Wayne is England’s record goalscorer and had a superb international career.

But it is an honour to play for England — England should not have to honour you.

Given Wayne retired from international football 15 months ago, if the FA really wanted to give him a send-off, why could they not invite him to the game as a guest?

That would make more sense than saying: “Thanks for playing for England, Wayne, here’s another game for you.”

We have never done that with other players. And the cynic would wonder if the FA are only doing this because they are struggling to sell tickets for the Wembley friendly on Thursday week.

You would think Gareth Southgate would need this match to prepare for the future, but clearly not.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7657583/wayne-rooney-england-vs-usa-man-utd-everton/


Chris Sutton:

"Bringing Wayne Rooney out of international retirement for one last farewell appearance makes a complete mockery of international football. If Rooney wants to raise money for his foundation then he would be better served booking Wembley, inviting an all-star XI and holding a charity match."

"Surely this is not the way a great competitor wants to bow out. It's actually a bit patronising.

"It is surprising that Gareth Southgate has agreed to this. It flies in the face of his intent to build for England's future.

"This match should be a chance for the manager to see what his promising youngsters can do and further develop his vision ahead of the European Championship in 2020. "

"This smacks of a gimmick to drum up interest in a friendly against a side who did not qualify for the World Cup and to sell tickets. If anything, this would convince me not to buy one."

https://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/international-friendlies/2018/football-news-sutton-wayne-rooney-recall-makes-mockery-of-football-i-want-an-england-recall-too_sto7000914/story.shtml


Shilton:

“I was shocked when I read it and I’m still struggling to understand the decision,” said the 69-year-old.

“It’s been two years since Wayne last played, England are on a new threshold and have just had a great World Cup but are going backwards with this.

“That’s not to say that Wayne does not deserve a tribute but give him a presentation, don’t just give caps away which is wrong and also denies a young player a chance as well,” Shilton told Mirror Sport.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/leicester-legend-peter-shilton-slams-2183748


Wayne Rooney’s England recall is a fudge the FA has got wrong

England players have never been afforded garlanded farewells and whatever the merits of Rooney’s international career, he should not have been made an exception for the USA friendly

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/nov/05/wayne-rooney-england-recall-fa-usa-friendly

It will probably sell a few more. And it's unknown if any new player will get their first cap. It's not like these caps mean much in the end.

Comment Deleted by Article Creator

WAYNE ROONEY’S England farewell has descended into a farce over whether he starts against the USA.

Rooney, who will be named in Gareth Southgate’s squad on Thursday, believes he will lead the team out as captain AND start the fixture.

However, FA chiefs have briefed that the Three Lions’ 53-goal record scorer will only be given five or ten minutes at the end as a gesture of goodwill to mark his long service with the national team.

But as SunSport revealed on Sunday the ex-captain understood he would skipper the team next Thursday and play the first 20 to 30 minutes before milking the acclaim of the Wembley crowd when he was subbed.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7667323/wayne-rooney-england-return-farce-fa-starting-role/

It is a farce. Underneath this I understand that none of the ticket sales money will go to the charity. Disgusting frankly by the FA to try and use Rooney as a cash cow to sell tickets

Even when dropped / retired or whatever Rooney manages to cause ridiculous debate as an international footballer

I realise he's scored lots of goals against second tier nations in qualifiers and friendlies but he's never done it at the top level in tournaments when England needed him except a brief early cameo in 2004 before well you know...

All his career, the injuries, the bans for violence going into championships, the consistent false hope

Even now it feels as if we are suddenly again waiting for Rooney to deliver at the cutting edge of a tournament for England, its bizarre how he is pandered to

Lineker, 48 goals, major tournament golden boots, WC semi final goals, there when we needed him. Where is his love in?

The Rooney myth is still a tale been told by those blinded by b ******t

Jordan Pickford not even mentioned as he wins England’s first penno shootout in a World Cup!!

Why isn’t he. Getting recalled?