Jose Mourinho has jumped to the defence of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
In defeat to Italy, Rooney's influence was peripheral as England coach Roy Hodgson deployed him on the flanks behind a lone striker.
And Chelsea boss Mourinho, who tried to sign Rooney last summer, said: "I don't think it's Wayne's best position, but many times players have to make sacrifices for the team and I think he did well.
"In the moment of defeat it is normal to try and find reasons for the defeat, but it is fair to say the reason for England losing was a great team.
"England played very, very well - I don't remember them playing so well at such important competition like the World Cup - and obviously Roy (Hodgson) was trying to play at the same time Rooney, Sterling, Welbeck and Sturridge, and to do that someone has to play more on the side.
"Wayne did his job with the assist for England's goal, but for me he loses a bit of his danger because he is naturally a goalscorer when he plays in a more central position.
"England are obviously not happy with the current situation and for the next group match it is forbidden to lose, but in my opinion they played a very positive game."
