Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho says the club and family members of ageing players in his squad can help “delay the end of their career.”
Mourinho also noted that the players must take proper care of themselves if they must keep playing.
England captain, Wayne Rooney, has faced plenty of questions this season about how many years he could still play in the topflight, with the 2016-17 campaign proving to be something of a humbling experience for the 31-year-old.
The player, who serves as captain for both club and country is no longer considered to be a guaranteed starter for Manchester United and the Three Lions.
He is, however, England’s leading all-time goalscorer, and also equalled the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton record with his 249th effort in their FA Cup win over Reading on Saturday.
Mourinho said the same can be said for the likes of Michael Carrick and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who are both 35 years of age.
The Portuguese said it is possible that they can continue playing at the highest level with careful management.
He told reporters, “It’s always a pity when these guys, they go to the end, but they get older and we cannot stop the clock.
“But when they take good care about themselves, when the wives help, when they train well, when the manager and the staff is intelligent enough to understand the difference between the body of a teenager or the body of a man of thirty something … they can delay the end of their career.”
The former Real Madrid boss noted that it is impossible to tell how much longer Rooney can continue.
“I don’t know, it depends on him — especially on his brain, on his desire.
“I think everything is about desire, more important than anything else. I think he has motivation so if he keeps motivation he can play.”
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