London – The England camp offered Wayne Rooney a welcome refuge last night. As he trained with the squad, the doubts over his Manchester United future continued.
Rooney, who went through his paces at a 5pm session at St George’s Park, fears he will be left in limbo by David Moyes.
The new United manager is scheduled to go on holiday on Wednesday for three weeks and has yet to speak with Rooney about his future.
It means the England forward, who has been reassured already about his role with the national team by manager Roy Hodgson, faces an uncertain few weeks.
Although Moyes has privately indicated that he wants to resolve the issues with Rooney, no official talks have taken place.
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Rooney demanded a transfer during crisis talks in his office just days after he was substituted in the 2-2 draw at West Ham on April 17.
Rooney insists he simply wanted guarantees about his role within the team, but he was subsequently left out of the squad for Ferguson’s last two games in charge.
The United striker, who has two years left on a £250,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford, is hoping for a fresh start in his favoured role under Moyes.
There is certainly no issue about his role with England and he will start up front for Hodgson’s side in the friendly with the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
Rooney, who has played in six outfield positions this season for United, is Hodgson’s golden boy.
The England coach has even indicated that there is a possibility Rooney could captain the team at Wembley against Giovanni Trapattoni’s team.
Ashley Cole will be offered the armband to commemorate his golden cap for reaching a century of England appearances against Brazil in February.
While Hodgson privately believes Cole will turn down the chance to lead his team out, the Chelsea defender did admit he was stunned by the warm reception from the Wembley crowd against Brazil. In the absence of captain Steven Gerrard, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, Frank Lampard is the country’s vice-captain.
Lampard returned from Chelsea’s post-season tour to New York with Cole and Gary Cahill to join the England squad yesterday.
Hodgson will assess Lampard’s condition again this morning in an open training session at St George’s Park, but has yet to decide whether he starts against the Republic.
Hodgson was delighted with Chelsea’s decision to release his trio of England players as he prepares for two high-profile fixtures this week.
England’s head coach was frustrated by Chelsea and Manchester City’s decision to take their players to the US for two friendlies at the end of a long domestic season. Although City refused to allow their England contingent to break off and return early to join the national team, Chelsea acquiesced.
Hodgson took the players for a two-hour training session on Sunday and he already has a team in mind for Wednesday’s game. Although Phil Jones has only won five caps, Hodgson will play him in the centre of England’s defence.
Sir Alex Ferguson, in his final few days in charge at Old Trafford, claimed Jones could go on to become the best player in United’s history.
Jones has played in a variety of positions at United, but Hodgson is determined to build his defence around him. Phil Jagielka, who has been outstanding for Everton this season, is likely to partner him at Wembley.
Meanwhile, England yesterday unveiled their new away strip. Kit manufacturer Nike was criticised for the lack of red on England’s new home kit when it was launched last week, with many observing that the company had produced a kit very similar to the one that Germany wore in the 1960s and ’70s.
The new shirt is almost entirely red, except for a white top button. The socks are also red, with a thin white band at the top.
Nike, who replaced Umbro as England’s kit manufacturer last year, have gone for a polo-necked top while the shirt is also emblazoned with the Football Association’s 150th anniversary badge.
England will wear the kit for the first time next Sunday against Brazil at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Nike also launched a yellow goalkeeper strip. – Daily Mail