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ROONEY OUT OF STOKE CITY AFFAIR

Posted on November 5, 2016

Manchester United and Three Lions skipper Wayne Rooney has been ruled out of the Premier League clash against Stoke City, according to reports.

The Red Devils are poised to face Stoke City at Old Trafford on Sunday in the League, and Coach Jose Mourinho is doing everything possible to ensure they remain on the winning path.

Sky Sports report that Rooney will play in the Europa League game against Zorya Luhansk at Old Trafford, but that he would be on the bench again in the Premier League.

Mourinho dropped the Englishman in the game against the Premier League defending champions – Leicester City last week. The result was United celebrating a 4-1 win, world record transfer signing Pogba bagging the Man of the Match Award and his first goal since returning to England.

The absence of Rooney in the Leicester game was only the third time in four years that he was on the bench in a Premier League game. He was eventually set on by Mourinho when they game was done and dusted with seven minutes to the final whistle.

Rooney has spoken regarding the level of criticism he has had to bear this term. Mourinho claims the forward has been taken aback by the level of criticism, hence the rationale behind taking a back seat for a while.

The three straight losses of the Red Devils really attracted a lot of scrutiny, particularly after the club spent so much during the summer on players’ reinforcements and welfare.

Numerous people have joined to back Rooney to face the stormy water. Defender Chris Smalling said Rooney remains the “main man” for club and country despite the condemnations. “Regardless of whatever the situation is, whatever game, whether he is on the bench or playing or whatever, he is always the same type of character and that’s why he is England’s main man, and our main man,” said Smalling.