Man United icon Wayne Rooney Kobbie Mainoo England advice ignored for Euro 2024 clash vs Serbia

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be in the starting line-up for England's Euro 2024 opener against Serbia despite Wayne Rooney's warning about defensive shortcomings potentially making him a liability against top-tier teams.

Speaking ahead of the game Southgate stated: "Everybody's more than entitled to opinion. That's our world and we have to accept it - but then we have to go and show what we can do.

"I'm really happy. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It's something he's been really keen to do. He's been really receptive to feedback and every bit of information. We know he can be a really special player. Equally, we know it's not something he's been doing for the last five years.

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"There is an element of the unknown to it. But I think it's an opportunity that's worth grasping because he could be something incredibly special," reports the Mirror.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to start alongside Declan Rice in midfield, having been utilised as an inverted full-back by Jurgen Klopp last season. The 25-year-old's passing and dead-ball expertise seem to have convinced Southgate that his inclusion is a gamble worth taking.

Rooney had guarded against the call though, saying on the Overlap, "I think he'll go with Trent. I think he's probably the most gifted player with the ball at his feet we've got.

"Defensively, he's all over the place. He can't defend. I wouldn't have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch. I'd have no problem with playing him here [at right-back].

"I think in here [midfield], I wouldn't have him anywhere near there. And I love Trent, actually. I think on the ball, the stuff he can do, no one else can do it." Rooney also predicted that the further into the tournament England go the less viable Alexander-Arnold is centrally.

"100%, [if] we go into the quarter-finals and we're playing France, Trent is not playing in midfield," Rooney said. "For me, I don't think Gareth trusts him enough to play him in midfield. And he has his doubts, the same way I do, about playing midfield.

"That's when you're going to see [Conor] Gallagher or [Kobbie] Mainoo in there. I don't think he trusts Trent defensively, which I think he's right to. In the games where you think you're going to dominate possession, I think you probably will see him in there."

Phil Foden is expected to start on the left wing despite his impressive performances for Manchester City in a more central position, with Jude Bellingham operating behind captain Harry Kane.

Captain Kane is brimming with anticipation for Alexander-Arnold to showcase his passing prowess. Kane remarked: "Trent has shown his abilities over many seasons now. That's from right-back or dropping into that midfield role.

"He's got amazing delivery from wide areas, amazing vision with his passes - and I think as a striker you can only love that if you are making runs there is someone there looking for you."

"You might not always get the ball but it's always important that the midfielders and the strikers have that connection, where you are willing to make the runs because they have the ability to put the ball in behind."

Southgate is confident he's struck the right balance, believing Bellingham and Foden will find their moments to dazzle. He said: "It's less about where they start or where they defend.

"It's about where they end up with the ball, about them having the freedom to go where they want with the ball - in the areas where they can do the most damage and be at their most productive.

"I think if you speak with any individual player that's always been the messaging from us to the team. They've always had the freedom to be where they like to operate.

"Equally we know it's not something he's been doing for the last five years. There is an element of the unknown to it. But I think it's an opportunity that's worth grasping because he could be something incredibly special.

"We've got some exciting players but we can't get them all on the pitch, so we are trying to find the best balance."