Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has hinted that Wayne Rooney faces a big challenge to return in the playing eleven. After a string of dismal performances, the England international was dropped for the first time by Mourinho and a Rooney-less United ran riot as they beat defending champions Leicester City 4-1 to bounce back from two consecutive premier league defeats.

Talking to the media after the game, the Portuguese tactician said: “My captain is my captain, if he is on the pitch or if he is at home. Sometimes I feel like you think I know nothing about football, but I know the rules of the game and can only play 11. So until they change the rules, I start with 11.”

Mourinho said that Rooney’s pace is not enough to play alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“When our main striker is Zlatan, we need fast people around him. Against Leicester that was the best solution for us,” Mourinho said.

Mourinho publicly criticised his players after his team lost three matches on the trot. But looked pleased after the latest performance.

“The reality is that I was the one with the aggressive approach. But I want to compete for a title because Manchester United demands this.It is not because I thought it would be easy. I could have been more defensive. But I don’t regret this.We have to think this way. Of course, there is a process,” he said.

After winning the opening three games, a slump in form saw the Red Devils losing three matches in a row including two in the Premier League. But the recent performance will give them a world of confidence as they continue to become a force to reckon with again in the league.