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Rooney: Big 'overreaction' to midfield role

Reuters

Wayne Rooney is a midfielder.

Deal with it.

The England captain assumed a deeper role than anticipated in his country's narrow 1-0 win over Slovakia on Saturday.

Critics went into forensic detail as to how Rooney performed, and why he reverted to a position many believe doesn't suit him.

Related: 3 things we learned from Allardyce's 1st match as England boss

In a remarkable post-match interview, manager Sam Allardyce said it's not up to him whether Rooney plays farther up the pitch or in front of the defence.

Nonetheless, the 30-year-old sees no value in the debate.

"I played in that role and helped us win the game. Too much is getting made about it," Rooney told Sky Sports. "I've done it my whole career and suddenly it's big news. It's not a big thing and I think there's a big overreaction to it."

There was a clear disconnect between the midfield and the attack during the Three Lions' opening 2018 World Cup qualifier.

Harry Kane was marooned up front as he struggled to get touches on the ball and convert chances. The balance of Allardyce's team alternated between a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 over the course of the 90 minutes in Trnava.

Allardyce indicated before the campaign he would let Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho determine Rooney's position. The Portuguese manager has so far deployed England's record goalscorer behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Juan Mata and Anthony Martial on either side.

But that had no bearing on Saturday's match, as Allardyce allowed Rooney the freedom to go wherever he felt comfortable.

"He holds a lot more experience at international football than me as an international manager," said Allardyce. "So using his experience with a team, and playing as a team member, it's not for me to say where's going to play."

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