Wayne Rooney's Knee Injury Forces Star to Withdraw from England Squad

England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has withdrawn from England's squad for Tuesday's friendly against Spain after suffering a knee injury in training.

The Three Lions' official Twitter account confirmed news of Rooney's setback on Monday:

BBC Sport confirmed Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson would take over the England armband after Rooney pulled out:

Rooney's injury is a blow for club and country, as well as the player, who had his share of fitness woes last season, including a knee problem. It's a possible sign the 31-year-old is losing some of the physical sharpness that once made him such a force.

He's still got a mind for the game and technical quality few other players can match. But there's little doubt Rooney lacks the burst that used to make him a prolific striker, with the deceptive pace he once terrorised defences with no longer there.

Without the short-area quickness and sudden bursts to surprise his markers, Rooney has become easier to keep quiet.

It explains why he's been shifted into midfield by both England and United. The switch lets him use his radar and clever passing to run games and also escape pacy defenders more easily.

Those qualities mean he is still a vital figure for both the Red Devils and Three Lions. Neither will find replacing him easy.

United do have jet-heeled Frenchman Anthony Martial and teenage striker Marcus Rashford. But the pair lack experience and can go missing in games.

Meanwhile, England have plenty of candidates to take on key roles in midfield. Jesse Lingard and Adam Lallana can play more advanced roles, while Arsenal's Jack Wilshere is able to dictate possession from a little deeper.

For United, new boss Jose Mourinho must find a way for his counter-attacking tactics to work without Rooney's creativity to release runners from deep.