Skipper

By Chris
August 29 2014

Wayne Rooney has been appointed captain of England by manager Roy Hodgson, only weeks after being named Manchester United skipper. 

The vacancy emerged following Steven Gerrard’s retirement from international football following England’s bitterly disappointing, winless World Cup campaign.

28-year-old Rooney has already notched up 95 international caps, bagging 40 goals in the process, and could yet become the most-capped England player of all time, an accolade presently held by Peter Shilton with 125 caps.

Rooney will wear the arm band for his country in a friendly match against Norway on September 3rd, in a fixture widely anticipated to have the lowest gate for an international football match at the new Wembley.

England then kick-off their qualification campaign for Euro 2016 with a trip to Switzerland.

Boasting the captain of England in their ranks is a great honour for Manchester United, and marks a remarkable transformation in Rooney’s fortunes at the club.

In 2010, the player raised question marks over the club’s ability to sign top players, and was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City; whilst last summer bookmakers had Rooney as odds-on for a switch amid Chelsea interest. 

Now captain of his club and country, the former Everton frontman has a pivotal role to play in seeking to revive the fortunes of both United and England, following recent disappointments.