re: Wayne Rooney not starting or on the bench

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When we sold him at Everton, Wayne was an outstanding talent and a really good player. We would watch him in training and say "Wow, did he really just do that?" You could see the staff looking across at each other shaking their heads in disbelief. He was football mad - heading the ball and volleying the ball here, there and everywhere. He was just a really good 16-year-old footballer.

'He would just leave the training ground and play football with his pals on the street and think nothing of it. A lot of people use the term "street footballers" and I think Wayne was the last of the street footballers, hitting the balls off the wall, playing with his mates. Part of that culture has gone from football. He reminded me of my days growing up in Glasgow where you would be playing on the streets but I do think he was the last of those great street players.'

On whether Rooney has fulfilled his potential or stagnated…

(Laughs) 'I don’t watch all the Manchester United games! I have had my own job. But I do see international games and you are talking about one of the best players in the world. If you are an England supporter, you are thinking what a great player you have. If you are from Scotland, you’re saying ‘Oh no!’ – but he is a brilliant player. He has had a very good career.'

On whether his experience of inheriting Paul Gascoigne at Everton has prepared him for taking on Wayne Rooney

'I hope that I may have matured a little bit myself since I was dealing with Paul Gascoigne and that I will be able to deal with that kind of situation a bit better. It’s great working with the big players but I can’t answer your question fully - I couldn’t quite hear the end of your question (laughs). Like Arsene Wenger would say - “I didn’t see it!”'

On the most talented players he’s worked with

Wayne Rooney is an incredible player.

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