Diminished Wayne Rooney still able to serve up flashes of his glorious past

The former England striker is a throwback to the ITV Digital age but can still caress a football like few have in this country

Give me the ball, he says. He doesn’t need to say the words. There’s an opening of the hips, a broadening of the chest, like a bird unfurling its plumage, that makes it clear exactly what is wanted, and who wants it. There’s a little glance over the shoulder to make sure he’s in as much space as he thinks he is. Now the eyes widen, the arms spread. Give me the ball, he says again with his body. And Max Lowe gives him the ball.

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