Wayne Rooney hails Carrick

Wayne Rooney hailed Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick after England's 1-1 draw with Italy in Turin.

Carrick came off the bench to replace Chris Smalling just before the interval and steadied the ship after a shaky start for Roy Hodgson's side, earning praise from his captain.

"The best player on the pitch by a mile was Michael Carrick," Rooney said.

"He came on and dictated the game for us. You saw how much control we had after that.

"He was the big difference between the two teams in the second half."

Hodgson echoed those sentiments, but defended his decision to start Phil Jones at the base of England's midfield diamond in an experimental line-up.

"Michael did very well," said the Three Lions coach.

"We experimented in first half and Jones did well, but we missed players like Carrick and [Jack] Wilshere.

"There might come a game when we need a Phil Jones-type in midfield."