Wayne Rooney blasts Gareth Southgate for decision with two England stars at Euro 2024
Manchester United great Wayne Rooney has lambasted England manager Gareth Southgate for misusing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher at the UEFA Euro 2024.
Southgate, who helped his side finish atop Group C of the Euro 2024, has recently come under fire for his uninspiring brand of football. He decided to start Alexander-Arnold in midfield in The Three Lions' first two outings – a 1-0 win over Serbia and a 1-1 draw against Denmark. However, his experiment failed to produce results as expected.
In England's 0-0 Group C draw against Slovenia, Southgate replaced the Liverpool right-back with Gallagher. However, he hauled off the Chelsea star and brought on Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo later on.
During a recent chat with The Times, Rooney shared his two cents on Southgate's substitutions in the goalless draw against Slovenia at the Euro 2024. He remarked (h/t Metro):
"Against Slovenia, Kobbie Mainoo staked a big claim for a starting place, Cole Palmer was very good and Anthony Gordon, though he played only a few minutes, had a couple of excellent touches. At just the right time in the tournament, Gareth may have stumbled upon the right team. I would play at least two of those three youngsters against Slovakia."
Slamming Southgate for throwing two stars under the bus, he added:
"None of what happened in the group stage surprised me. I would never have played Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and expected that, when the experiment didn't work, Gareth would try Conor Gallagher. Gareth killed both a bit by discarding them, but in each case, it was the right call and when Mainoo came in, you saw him making forward runs and showing composure on the ball."
Wayne Rooney rates England's chances of lifting first trophy since 1966 at Euro 2024
During a chat with The Times, Wayne Rooney was queried to opine on The Three Lions' chances of lifting the Euro 2024 trophy. He replied:
"I think they have a great chance of winning these Euros, I really do. They won their group, are into a half of the draw where they avoid the biggest teams and we know – and they know – they can play a lot better."
England will next be in action against Slovakia in their Euro 2024 last-16 encounter at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (June 30).
Should England ease past Slovakia, they would either take on Italy or Switzerland in their quarter-final match at the continental tournament.