Jose Mourinho hails Wayne Rooney as England's best player of the past decade

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has hailed Wayne Rooney as England's stand-out player of the past decade. The newly-installed manager is eager to work with the record-breaking forward after Euro 2016 and as he looks forward to Rooney's testimonial against Everton on 3 August, Mourinho has hailed the current United captain.

The 30-year-old star joined the Old Trafford club from Everton in 2004 and is hoping to raise as much as £5m ($7.2m) through his testimonial, with the money going to the Wayne Rooney Foundation, which will then filter through to the NSPCC, Claire House Children's Hospice, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the Manchester United Foundation.

"Wayne is, and has been, England's best player for over a decade and this game will be a fitting tribute to everything he has achieved," the new United boss said of Rooney, according to The Mirror.

The game at Old Trafford could also see new signing Eric Bailly make his Old Trafford debut, having completed his £30m move to United from Villarreal on Wednesday (8 June). The new United star revealed he is looking forward to playing in England.

"It's a dream come true to be joining Manchester United. To play football at the highest level is all I have ever wanted to do," said Bailly, who has joined United on a four-year deal, with the option for a further year. "I want to progress to be the best I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way."

Mourinho has also been linked with a big-money move for Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who would provide competition for the likes of Rooney, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. "There is no confirmation," Ibrahimovic recently responded to a question about his future, according to Sky Sports.

"You are a journalist, no? There is no saying 'yes' or saying 'no' so you will have to have patience. I want you to keep wondering where I will go, keep making stories because I enjoy when these stories go out. When I feel tired I will let you know what my next destination is."