Mourinho: Rooney is respected in Manchester

Jose Mourinho insists out-of-favour captain Wayne Rooney has the respect and backing of the Manchester United fans.

Rooney is on the outer for both United and England, after being axed by interim manager Gareth Southgate for the country’s World Cup qualifier against Slovenia.

The 30-year-old has also warmed the bench for United’s past three fixtures heading into Monday’s Premier League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield.

But while doubts remain over Rooney’s future at club and international level, United manager Mourinho said the skipper remains an admired figured.

“Wayne was not booed by Man United fans. To be honest, the last match when he went through the warm-up,” Mourinho said.

“I was feeling that Old Trafford was behind him and supporting him before he came on against Stoke.

“So I think at Man United he feels at home. At Man United he feels the respect he deserves – not at Anfield obviously – but he knows that here he is respected.”