Jones Leads Rooney Birthday Tributes

Phil Jones has led the tributes to Wayne Rooney as the Manchester United skipper turns 30 today (Saturday 24 October).

Jones, who plays with the striker for England as well as United, believes the striker leads by example. Despite having played at the top level since the age of 17, Rooney's passion for the game remains undiminished and, far as Jones is concerned, is even getting more intense.

"Wazza is a good lad," said Jones. "He’s a terrific player who has won loads of trophies. He has played at an unbelievably high level for many years, scoring loads of goals in important games. He’s a leader and our captain. He’s also a joker with terrible dress sense! [Laughs].

"He’s a leader and gives advice to the team when he thinks he needs to. He knows when the time is right and when we need to raise our game. He’s been in this position for many years at the highest level – he knows what to do and when to do it. That’s why he’s the captain of his club and country and rightly so.

"He inspires others in the way he plays. His technical ability is huge and his passing and finishing is fantastic, but his passion for the game is amazing. Some players might get older and their passion fades away but that’s not the case with him. His passion is getting stronger and stronger every day. In training, he always wants to win and in matches, of course.

"He’s a great guy in the dressing room. He has a laugh and a joke but he’s serious when he needs to be. He’s a great lad, an unbelievable player and probably one of those who will go down as an all-time great for Manchester United."