Jose hails game-changer Rooney; laughs about ‘assist’
Jose Mourinho hailed the impact of Wayne Rooney after Manchester United beat Zorya Luhansk.
United laboured throughout the Europa League clash at Old Trafford, but the breakthrough came after Rooney’s introduction in the 67th minute.
Within two minutes of his substitution, the captain assisted Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s winner – although there was more than a touch of fortune, considering he mishit a volley into the ground before the Swede headed home.
Nevertheless, Rooney was praised for his contribution by many within the game. In truth, he himself received an assist from the pundits.
Mourinho accepts they did not play “amazingly well” against Zorya but got the job done, saying he was impressed with his captain’s impact after coming off the bench for a second successive match.
“He was laughing and saying he made a great assist,” the United boss said, regarding his strike into the ground which led to Ibrahimovic’s winner.
“But, really, he gave me what the team needs at that time, which is a presence, a second presence in the box.
“He is more a striker than Juan (Mata) and Juan went more to the right side.
“(Anthony) Martial brought, after the goal, freshness and speed, also to try to kill the game, which we didn’t but he was a positive presence, too.
“We started the game with a very good team and I had on the bench also players to give me solutions for everything.
“We have proof to win matches in the Europa League that we need to be good, we need to play seriously because they are good teams.”