Manchester United: Jose Mourinho insists Rooney has an important role at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes that Wayne Rooney still has a very important role to play Old Trafford as the club's captain. The Portuguese manager tried to sign the England International during his in Chelsea but David Moyes, the manager of United at the time, offered him a bumper deal to keep him at the club.

There has been speculation about his future after talk about him moving into midfield, with the player having played behind the striker with England in the recently concluded Euros. Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy were preferred, ahead of the England international, and it is believed that Rooney will have a similar role at United, where he was initially slotted into midfield by Louis van Gaal. However, Mourinho was quick to banish such thoughts and insisted that Rooney has nothing to fear as he will always be a respected member of the squad.

"I am quite surprised with so many question marks around this guy," Mourinho said ahead of United's International Champions Cup game against Borussia Dortmund, as quoted by the Telegraph.

"He is the club captain, he is the manager's captain, he is the players' captain. I trust him a lot. I think he's going to be a very important player for me and no problem for him."

Rooney himself is unperturbed by Mourinho's arrival and insists that he is ready to raise his game in order to get in the good books of the manager. The 30-year-old revealed that he always brings his best game when there is a change in manager and he will try to do the same this time around as well.

"I like to think I'm always motivated as a player but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit more motivated when a new manager comes in. I'm sure all the lads will be happy to be working under Jose and also eager to impress. I think you always feel pressure when you play for Manchester United. You always feel you have to prove yourself every season," Rooney said.