ROONEY TO RETIRE FROM ENGLAND IN 2018

Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney is set to retire from international football after the 2018 campaign in Russia, if England makes it there. The England international has disclosed his intention of ending his career at Old Trafford, but he hasn’t placed a time limit.

On his international career, he claims he would retire after the World Cup tournament, adding that it would be 15 years then. “I will carry on playing, certainly at club level. I will have a year left at United then [2018]. I’ve said to United I want to stay there, finish my career there, so it’s a case of sitting down with United when the time’s right. I’ve still got three years left. I obviously, hopefully, want to finish my career at United,” Rooney disclosed.

On his retirement, Rooney said: “Going into the World Cup, hopefully we qualify, the time will be right. It will be my 15th season playing for England, and in anyone’s terms, it’s a long time, so I just felt the time would be right then. The physical factors in basketball, football and other sports mean that continuing at the very top once you pass 30 years old is very difficult, and only a few have managed to retain that level of performance at the highest level whilst playing both domestic and international football” Rooney added.

Rooney admitted that he could do better for the team, and he said he hopes to use the next two years well. “Realistically, I know myself that Russia will be very last opportunity to do anything for England. Hopefully, I can end my time with England on a high,” Rooney revealed.

England manager Sam Allardyce says he plans to play the skipper in the No. 10 role, and as captain. Rooney seem to be happy with the arrangement when he said: “It brings consistency [considering United coach Jose Mourinho has restored Rooney to the same role] in terms of where you are playing. Sometimes, it is difficult to go from one position to another and keep changing.”