Wayne Rooney believes that Gareth Southgate ‘killed’ two England stars during the Three Lions’ group stage at Euro 2024.

The ex-Manchester United star has been left unimpressed by how Southgate has tinkered with his midfield ranks, with Kobbie Mainoo the latest star expected to be partnered with Declan Rice.

Speaking to The Times, Rooney believes that the manner in which Conor Gallagher and Trent Alexander-Arnold were trialled alongside Declan Rice has ‘killed’ the duo.

He said: “‘None of what happened in the group stage surprised me. I would never have played Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield and expected that, when the experiment didn’t work, Gareth would try Conor Gallagher.

”Gareth killed both a bit by discarding them, but in each case it was the right call and when Mainoo came in you saw him making forward runs and showing composure on the ball.”