Wayne Rooney names his England XI to face Serbia – but admits he’s ‘worried’ about one pick at centre back, his left back choice ‘has been really poor all season’… and makes a surprising decision on the left wing

Wayne Rooney has selected the England XI that he would go with for Sunday’s Euro 2024 opener if he was in charge of the Three Lions.

Gareth Southgate‘s men get their campaign underway on Sunday night as they face Serbia at the Arena AufSchalke In Gelsenkirchen in Group C.

Rooney, who featured in three European Championships for England, was asked by Gary Neville on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, to name his preferred starting line-up.

Only a few positions in the team are causing any serious debate and Rooney agreed that Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane should all start in their usual positions.

One of the big questions going into the Euros is who will play on the left side of central defence following the injury to Harry Maguire.

Gary Neville (R) asked Wayne Rooney to select his starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Serbia

The majority of Rooney’s team was predictable but there were some surprise inclusions

‘I don’t know,’ Rooney said. ‘I think just for form in the league I’d play Marc Guehi but I’d be worried.’

Rooney went on to explain that he was dismayed at Everton centre back Jarrad Branthwaite was overlooked for the final 26-man by Southgate.

‘I’m so surprised Branthwaite is not there. Obviously with [Kieran] Trippier being right-footed as well, I think Branthwaite would’ve given so much balance.

‘He’s really good with his feet, went over to Holland on loan before coming back to Everton, he plays balls through the lines, he’s a big lad, aggressive.

‘I was shocked. That’s probably the biggest shock, for me, that he weren’t in the squad with Harry being left out.’

Rooney’s team included Marc Guehi in central defence and Anthony Gordon at left wing

The England legend says he’d start Guehi (R) and Kieran Tripper (L) but they do concern him

Rooney accepted that Kieran Tripper will have to start at left back until Luke Shaw finds fitness.

‘It is (a guarantee that he’ll start). He’s had injuries as well but he’s been poor. I thought the other night against Iceland he was poor again. He has to play but he hasn’t been playing well for Newcastle.’

Rooney wants Rice at the base of midfield with Bellignham just in front of him, allowing Phil Foden more of a free role in the No 10 position.

Many believe Foden will be played on the left this summer but Rooney would prefer to see Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon there. 

‘He’s different,’ he said. ‘He’s the one player, Saka does as well but maybe not as much as Gordon, he runs off the ball, he runs in behind, he takes the ball, he’ll commit players and he’ll hold the width, you’ve seen him doing it for Newcastle, he’ll keep the width which allows space for more players [in the middle]. 

‘[Cole] Palmer could play there but their biggest strengths are coming inside. 

‘He’s [Gordon] the one player who will hold the width and make it difficult. 

‘[Cole] Palmer could play there but their biggest strengths are coming inside. He’s [Gordon] the one player who will hold the width and make it difficult.

Rooney says he would start Anthony Gordon at left wing as he offers more width in attack 

England begin their European Championship campaign against Serbia on Sunday evening 

‘If teams sit back you need width, you need to keep moving it from side to side to create opportunities.’

Rooney thinks Southgate will go in another direction, however, with Foden on the left and either Trent Alexander-Arnold or Conor Gallagher in midfield. 

England face Denmark in their second match of Group C on June 20 before taking on Slovenia on June 25.