ROO’S BOSS
Mourinho insists Wayne is happy for Zlatan to take penalty duties
Jose Mourinho insists skipper Wayne Rooney has willingly stepped aside to let team- mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic take the penalty plaudits.
The Swedish striker slotted home from 12 yards for his second goal in Manchester United’s 2- 0 win over Southampton on Friday. Rooney would have been first choice for the honour last season. But the Old Trafford boss – who named Rooney, Ibrahimovic and United new boy Paul Pogba as his preferred penalty takers – says the Englishman was happy for the summer arrival to take his limelight. Mourinho said: “I designated three – Paul, Wayne and Zlatan – but sometimes I like the players to have the feeling, ‘ This is for me’. Wayne and Paul told themselves, ‘ Zlatan, when a penalty comes you are the first.
“If you don’t want to take it for some reason we are here but you are the man’. Between them they made that decision.”
Mourinho’s £ 89million signing Pogba was impressive on his debut, so too were Marouane Fellaini, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia.
However, the Special One also spared a thought for those left on the sidelines after a handful of decorated internationals failed to even make the bench.
He said: “I have so many good players. I arrive in the dressing room after the match and I was happy. But then I become sad because all the other guys are there in their nice Paul Smith suit but not a tracksuit – not even playing, not even on the bench.
“I am desperate for September because we have the Capital One Cup and Europa League. We have seven matches in September and they’ll all play. Then I am happy.”