Rooney, 30, has been out of action for both United and the Three Lions with a knee ligament injury that was first reported on Feb. 17, ahead of his club’s Europa League date with FC Midtjylland.
In his absence, England youngsters Dele Alli and Harry Kane, along with Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, have carried the load for England, while Marcus Rashford has emerged as somewhat of a revelation for Man United.
However, retirement is far from the thinking of the current captain of both his club and international team, especially after scoring his 50th goal to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s goalscoring record for England.
“I’ve still got a few years left I feel,” Rooney said in an interview with the PFA’s “4 The Player” magazine which is set to be published on Monday.
“I’ll keep trying to, first and foremost, help the team be successful and if I can score the goals to help achieve that then that’ll be great.
“Over the last two years my form for England has been really good, I’ve scored a lot of goals. The record stood for more than 40 years so to be the one to break it means a lot. For Sir Bobby [Charlton] to present me with the award as well, that makes it even more special.
“But it’s something I’m looking to expand now, I’ve got the record and I just want to carry on scoring as many goals as I can.”
Rooney added: “I was playing really well before that injury so it could’ve been different but that’s in the past and you have to look forward.
“I think I’m a different player now to what I was then so I don’t compare myself. I’m always just thinking about what comes next and making sure I’m at my best for the summer.”
England manager Roy Hodgson is on the record saying that Rooney will almost surely be on the squad that makes the trip to France for the Euros this summer, but his place in the starting XI is anything but certain.
“I’ve never said he’s an automatic starter and I’ve not ever said anyone is an automatic starter,” Hodgson said. “If you say does he have a good chance to be a starter with his track record, ability and experience? Of course he has.”
England begin group play on Saturday, June 11, vs. Russia in Marseille.