Wayne Rooney: 'Michael Carrick was the best player on the pitch'

Wayne Rooney believes that the introduction of Michael Carrick helped turned the match to help England earn a 1-1 draw in their friendly clash against Italy.

The Azzurri took the lead in the first half through Graziano Pelle, but Roy Hodgson's men rallied after the break and Andros Townsend ensured that the Three Lions avoided defeat in Turin.

However, the captain has credited Carrick, who arrived from the substitutes' bench in the 44th minute, for turning the tide in favour of Hodgson's side in the match.

Rooney told ITV Sport: "I think we deserved to win it. We had the better chances. Italy were the better team in the first half, partly because of ourselves, and second half we dominated.

"Overall we are pleased with the draw and it keeps us on an unbeaten run since the summer. I thought the best player on the pitch by a mile was Michael Carrick when he came on. He dictated the play for us and was the difference between the two teams.

"It is a friendly, we are missing players, but a good chance for the players who came to give the manager something to think about."

England are now unbeaten since their World Cup defeat to Uruguay last June.