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Former England player Wayne Rooney has cast aspersions over the potential selection of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold in the playing XI for Three Lions' first match at the Euros.

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Rooney said manager Gareth Southgate was going to pick TAA in the XI but he had reservations over the defensive capabilities of the talented right-back. The fans, however, slammed Rooney for making 'lazy, uninformed' opinion about the English player. 

"I think he (Southgate) will go with Trent. I think he’s probably the most gifted player we have with the ball at his feet that we've got," Rooney said on The Overlap's Euros fan debate. 

"Defensively he is all over the place. He can't defend. I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch," he added. 

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Trent impressed during the two international friendlies England played in the lead-up to the tournament. He is expected to star alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the middle.   

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While Rooney questioned Trent's defensive frailty, fans online thrashed the ex-Manchester United star. One fan said if Trent was so bad defensively, why he had won every trophy possible with Liverpool, when he was still only 25. 

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"Disappointing, not not surprisingly, to see another ‘respected’ ex-pro just run with this narrative. Lazy, and long since disproven," said another user. 

"Trent is possibly the most gifted player to emerge out of an English academy since Rooney himself and the punditry class will spend the next decade telling us why he can just never be a regular for the international team. It's a hilarious thing really," added a third. 

Trent is one of the most gifted passers in the England squad having the X-factor. If the Three Lions are to go the distance and win only their second international trophy, Trent's form will be pivotal.  

Also read | Euro 2024: 500 Serbians to engage in violence at England's first match in Germany - Report

England's squad for the Euros 

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Lewis Dunk (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea),  Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)