Gareth Southgate was glad to give Wayne Rooney the send-off he deserved as England prepared for Sunday's crunch Nations League clash against Croatia by beating the United States.

The Wembley crowd helped pay tribute to the Three Lions' all-time top-scorer and most capped outfield player on Thursday, when the forward was just inches away from marking his 120th and final cap with a memorable goal.

It would have been a dream end to a 3-0 win that saw Southgate juggle honouring Rooney and building for the future, with Callum Wilson – one of three debutants against the USA – completing the scoring after first-half goals from Jesse Lingard and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

"I didn't like us without the ball as much. I thought at times we pressed really well, but at times the USA got through us too easily and towards the end of the game we didn't play with discipline.

"We were caught in transition and wide open. If we do that on Sunday, we will lose.

"We haven't had that discussion because Wayne gave a really nice speech at the end and I didn't want to rain on his parade!"

Rooney's team-mates ensured that he got the number 10 shirt in Thursday's match, as well as the captain's armband when he came on in the 58th minute – gestures that the forward clearly appreciated.

Asked what the 33-year-old had told the players, Southgate said: "That he really appreciated the way that everybody had made him feel welcome.

"Even for him as a senior player, it's difficult to walk back into a dressing room.

"A lot of players he's played with, but a lot he hasn't and there's a lot of new staff.

"He has been brilliant I have to say. The time he's given to all of the players, the little conversations he's had with a lot of the younger ones.

"We knew that would be a tough game because I think probably the first game they've had at home since the World Cup with a crowd in, so it would have been an electric atmosphere.

"They've shown not only their quality but their resilience again to win it in the 93rd minute.

"It's brilliant. It sets up a really good finish to the year here. I think it was already a sell-out crowd and it's a game with plenty riding on it, which is exactly the sort of test we want."