Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists that Wayne Rooney remains firmly rooted in his plans, despite the team thrashing Leicester City in his absence.
The Reds defeated the reigning champions 4-1 at Old Trafford to end a run of defeats in the Premier League.
Rooney was left on the bench for the start, but came on after 83 minutes for youngster Marcus Rashford.
The captain has been criticised for his recent form for both club and country, but Mourinho told Sky Sports News that Rooney remains part of his plans.
"The team played very well. You score four goals, your striker doesn’t score a goal and I think Ibra played phenomenal. He was key in our attacking football and in our pressure. I’m happy when we do that," he said.
"Wayne is a big player for me, this club and this country. I’ve nothing to say, I trust him and he’s happy, as I am."
As for the performance, Mourinho was quick to give the plaudits to the team as a whole, rather than any individual player.
"I think it was a very good performance, obviously it was a very good result. It's not easy to win against them, and even more difficult to win in such a comfortable way.
"Obviously in the second half, nobody was expecting us to score four more goals and to win 8-0. So it was more about control, and we wanted a little bit more.
"I think we started well for the first time I can say [this], because normally our second halves are better than the first. I don't know, we prepare [for] the games in the same way and with the same professionalism.
"Our intention is obviously to start really well and today we had intensity, we had movement. We had a good dynamic defensively, and we were very strong against an opponent who are easy to analyse, but difficult to cope with. This time we analysed and we coped.
"Last season we couldn't beat them and already we have beaten them twice. I think it was a really good performance."
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