Rooney: I know why Mourinho benched me

Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, has admitted that he played badly against Watford and it is the reason manager Jose Mourinho, has left him out of the starting team.


Although the England striker started their EFL Cup fixture against Northampton last mid-week, he was dropped for the visit of Stoke City on Sunday.

“Listen, I had a bad game at Watford. I played bad, I know that and I understand that,” Rooney told The Independent.

“I think if he was picking the next team on the back of that, I understand not playing. The team have done well, certainly in the Leicester game since that.

“I understand I have to work hard and try and get back and try and get my chance and take it.”

United recorded wins over Leicester City and Zorya, before drawing 1-1 with Stoke with Rooney out of the team.

“The team came back different, but I’ll take a lot of that,” Rooney said.

“Of course, I’ve done that throughout my career, but we have to work as a team in terms of trying to win and, if I’m on the bench, so be it.

“I’ll fight. I won’t not fight for my place, I’ll fight to try and get back in.”