Everton boss David Moyes intends to resist any attempts to send Wayne Rooney World Under-20 Championship squad to travel to the United Arab Emirates at the end of March.

Seventeen-year-old Rooney has been a sensation in his opening season in the Premier League and has been tipped to be a regular in the senior England team.

It is understood the Football Association wanted the striker to speathead England’s challenge for the World Under-200 championships.

However, Moyes is unhappy with the request to release Rooney, arguing that it would deprive the club of their most-prized asset for around a month at a crucial time of the season. Moreover, Moyes believes the player’s footballing education would benefit more from playing in the Premier League rather than in a junior tournament.

‘It’s unfair of the FA to expect players who play regularly for their clubs to be taken away midway through their season,’ said Moyes.

‘I have spoken to (FA acting technical director) Les Reed about this subject.’