BURTON-ON-TRENT, United Kingdom: England Captain Wayne Rooney will return to the starting line-up for his country’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Scotland on Friday, interim manager Gareth Southgate announced on Thursday.
Rooney, 31, started on the bench in England’s last game, a 0-0 draw away to Slovenia, after losing his place in Manchester United’s starting XI.
But he has started United’s last two games, scoring from range in their 2-1 Europa League defeat at Fenerbahce last week, and will win his 119th cap from the start against Scotland at Wembley.
“He is in a better place than he was in the last get-together in terms of his sharpness,” Southgate told reporters at the St George’s Park football centre in Burton-on-Trent, central England.
“I think he’s an experienced player for a game like this. There was no hesitation from me in selecting him.
“He’s playing well for Manchester United. I think he’s a player who it helps when he gets into a rhythm.”
Rooney takes the captain’s armband back from Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who Southgate confirmed will start.
