TheCable

Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho felt England did not do enough to protect the team captain Wayne Rooney.

This was after the striker was pictured socialising in the early hours of the morning, while on international duty.

Rooney made a public apology on Wednesday after his images were published at the team hotel after last week’s victory over Scotland at Wembley.

“The only thing I’ll say is that when the player goes to the national team; he belongs to the national team- I learnt since,” he said.

“When I was a kid, if someone lends me something I have to take care of it; even better than if it was mine.

“You know – your friend lent you a pencil, you have to take care of the pencil better than if it was your pencil.

“So I think when one day if I become a national manager, I will try.”

Several other Premier League managers have leapt to Rooney’s defence, including Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City boss, and Jurgen Klopp of Liverpool, who felt there had been an over-reaction to the episode.

“I am not saying I will be successful and I am not being critical of Gary (caretaker manager Gareth Southgate) or anyone,’’ Mourinho added.

“I get the occasion to wish Gary the best of luck but I think you have to build something to protect what is not yours, what someone lends you.”

Manchester United hosted Arsenal at the Old Trafford on Saturday and shared the points.