Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes Wayne Rooney can extend his stay at the top level with careful management as the record-equalling striker enters the twilight of his career.
Rooney is one goal away from becoming United’s highest scorer after equalling Bobby Charlton’s 249-goal tally during a 4-0 victory over Reading in FA Cup third-round.
The club captain, who arrived at Old Trafford from Everton in 2004, has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract.
“I don’t know, it depends on him — especially on his brain, on his desire,” Mourinho told the British media when asked about how long Rooney can contribute at the highest level.
“I think everything is about desire, more important than anything else. I think he has motivation so if he keeps motivation he can play.”
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■ Team of the week: Rooney, Ramsey best of FA Cup
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The 31-year old forward, who has scored just once in the Premier League so far this season, has lost his regular spot in the United starting line-up.
The match against Reading was only the seventh time he had a full 90 minutes this season.
Mourinho believes midfielder Michael Carrick and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, both 35, as well as Rooney must be utilised sparingly to get the best out the final phase of their careers.
“It’s always a pity when these guys, they go to the end, but they get older and we cannot stop the clock,” the Portuguese manager added.
“But when they take good care about themselves, when the wives help, when they train well, when the manager and the staff is intelligent enough to understand the difference between the body of a teenager or the body of a man of thirtysomething ... they can delay the end of their career.”
* Reuters
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
if you go
The flights
Fly direct to Kutaisi with Flydubai from Dh925 return, including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours. From there, Svaneti is a four-hour drive. The driving time from Tbilisi is eight hours.
The trip
The cost of the Svaneti trip is US$2,000 (Dh7,345) for 10 days, including food, guiding, accommodation and transfers from and to Tbilisi or Kutaisi. This summer the TCT is also offering a 5-day hike in Armenia for $1,200 (Dh4,407) per person. For further information, visit www.transcaucasiantrail.org/en/hike/
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Venom
Director: Ruben Fleischer
Cast: Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed
Rating: 1.5/5
