Rooney stars in midfield role

Wayne Rooney put in a man of the match display for Manchester United to calm his critics ahead of England's Euro 2016 campaign. 

The England captain scored and assisted for the Red Devils as they put Eddie Howe's Bournemouth to the sword at Old Trafford, to book their place in next season's Europa League. 

A bomb scare saw United's clash moved from Sunday to Tuesday - and plenty of alarm bells have rung this season regarding Rooney's form and fitness.  

However, the 30-year-old had more touches, passes and shots then any other United player against the Cherries and his opening goal was his 100th in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

100 - Wayne Rooney has 100 #BPL goals at Old Trafford only Thierry Henry (114 at Highbury) has more. #Rooney #MUFC pic.twitter.com/0eyMN13fTJ

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 17, 2016

His eight Premier League goals this term represents his lowest tally since joining the Red Devils, and the 15/16 season also marked the first time Rooney has failed to hit double figures in the competition since 03/04 for Everton (8). 

Wayne Rooney season goal tallies for #MUFC
14, 15 (15/16), 16 (x2),17,18,19 (x2),20...23..............34 (x2) #Rooney

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 17, 2016

However, in a campaign dogged by injury and criticism, Louis Van Gaal's United have registered their lowest ever Premier League goals total  - and Rooney's 15 goals in all competitions means that only French starlet Anthony Martial (18) has scored more goals for the Red Devils this season.  

After already overtaking Sir Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record, Rooney is now just four goals away from equalling the United legend's tally of 249 goals for the Mancunians. 

Most #MUFC goals
249 Bobby Charlton
245 WAYNE ROONEY
237 Denis Law
211 Jack Rowley
180 George Best #Rooney #RedDevils

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 17, 2016

It may take Rooney longer to notch up the five goals required to overtake Charlton, however, given that the England captain appears set to adopt a deeper-lying midfield role at United.

It is, as yet, unclear in what position Roy Hodgson will deploy use his most experienced striker in at the Euros, but his playmaking role at Olf Trafford last night will have provided food for thought for the Three Lions coach.