Why Wayne Rooney deserves his England swansong.

England manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed Wayne Rooney's return to the national team for a friendly against the United States at Wembley next Thursday.

The D.C. United forward, who retired from international duty in August 2017 and is England's all-time record scorer (50 goals), will win his 120^th and final cap for the Three Lions.

On the 33-year-old's inclusion Southgate said, "There have been ongoing discussions since Wayne retired about paying tribute to him and his England career.

"We will paying tribute to a player who deserves the right send off, I think all the players would respect that Wayne's contribution deserves the best possible send-off."

The news Rooney would be coming out of retirement was met with criticism from England's most capped player Peter Shilton, who tweeted:

I don’t agree with giving Wayne Rooney a cap against USA caps should be given on merit! Honour him by a presentation on the pitch and let the youngsters do the job!

— Peter Shilton (@Peter_Shilton) November 5, 2018

While the former West Ham and Birmingham manager Harry Redknapp claimed Rooney's appearance would turn the game into a "circus".

However current England captain, Harry Kane, welcomed Rooney's return saying "it's the send off he deserves".

Rooney was the embodiment of a England player, he gave his all for his country during 13 years representing his country.

He hardly missed a game for England and even clashed with his Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, when the Scot tried to prevent him from going to the 2006 World Cup after breaking his metatarsal three months before the tournament.

Having Rooney in the squad will give the likes of Callum Wilson, who is earning his first cap, the chance learn from one of England's greatest players.

Studying Rooney will help the players around him, and being in the presents of a winner like him can only boost team moral.

Major League Soccer is not the most competitive league in the world but Rooney dragged D.C. United from the relegation zone to the play-off, scoring 12 goals along the way.

He was also Everton's top scorer last season, so he still has plenty to offer his England colleagues.

Some fans are to young to remember Rooney's brilliant displays at Euro 2004 so this could be there last chance to see a living legend in the flesh and give him the rapturous applause he deserves.

Rooney's inclusion will also help with ticket sales, the match as been renamed 'The Wayne Rooney Foundation International', and all proceeds will go to his charity.

The Foundation supports disadvantaged and vulnerable children and Rooney started it to "inspire and improve the lives of children and young people".

The game is being held for a very good cause, people arguing Rooney is taking somebody's place in the squad need to look at the bigger picture.

Everything Rooney is doing gives meaning to an otherwise meaningless friendly, Southgate claimed he wanted to make former players “feel part of things” and this is the prefect opportunity to do just that.

The Netherlands gave Wesley Sneijder a sendoff after he retired from International duty in September, Germany did the same for Lukas Podolski in March 2017 so why shouldn't Rooney be allowed the same honour?

To whet your appetite for Rooney's return, below are his greatest goal's at Wembley for England: