Former England captain Wayne Rooney has expressed his preference for starting Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo over Elliot Anderson in the upcoming World Cup last-32 tie against DR Congo. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:00 BST and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Rooney suggested that Mainoo's inclusion would be more beneficial in matches against teams employing a low defensive block. He noted that players like Bellingham could be deployed deeper in such scenarios, highlighting Bellingham's intensity, desire, and drive. Rooney also indicated that Morgan Rogers might be better suited to playing with his back to goal compared to Bellingham, reserving Bellingham for tougher opponents.
Speaking on player selection, former England striker Emile Heskey shared his surprise at manager Tuchel's decision to bring on 36-year-old Jordan Henderson during the closing stages of their 2-0 victory over Panama. Heskey questioned the choice of an older player over a younger one like Mainoo, who is in his early twenties. "He probably has three more tournaments ahead of him and can grow into the tournament. I'm not sure how I'd feel as Kobbie Mainoo," Heskey commented.
Regarding Elliot Anderson's potential and high transfer fee, Heskey advised looking beyond the price tag, acknowledging that it often becomes a point of criticism. Rooney, while calling Anderson a "fantastic player," expressed disappointment that Manchester United did not sign him. He drew parallels to past high-profile transfers, such as Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish, where players have struggled to adapt after big-money moves.
Rooney also weighed in on the pairing of Declan Rice and Anderson as defensive midfielders, stating that he did not believe it was necessary in their previous match against Ghana.