Interim England manager Gareth Southgate has claimed that Wayne Rooney's current lack of game time at Manchester United is "irrelevant" when it comes to his selection for the national team.

The 30-year-old has started United's last three matches on the bench, but captained England for the full 90 minutes of their 2-0 win over Malta on Saturday.

Rooney's form has been the subject of intense debate in recent weeks, but Southgate insists that he does not pay much attention to his captain's plight at club level.

"I think at this moment in time that's irrelevant. Part of that is because we've got 30% of the Premier League eligible for England," he told reporters.

"Of that, some don't want to play, of that some aren't good enough to play and you've got a captain who is desperate to lead on and off the field and continues to make outstanding contribution to that group of players, so that was why he was selected.

"What's happening at Manchester United for this week is not as important."

Rooney is expected to win cap number 118 when England face Slovenia on Tuesday.