Wayne Rooney has backed his former Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck to benefit both club and country after his £16m transfer deadline day move to Arsenal.

Rooney, who scored his 41st goal for England from the penalty spot but otherwise laboured during Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Norway, said he hoped Welbeck’s move to the Emirates would ignite his international career. “Danny is a lively player; an impact player,” the England and United captain said. “He is quick, he can score goals and I am sure with him getting the move to Arsenal now, hopefully he can play up front for Arsenal. That will really help him with England.”

Welbeck has scored eight goals in his 27 internationals but the last of those was more than a year ago. Rooney said he would benefit from playing in his favoured position up front for Arsène Wenger’s side. “He is a Manchester lad and I spoke to him a few times. It was a really tough decision for him to move, but for his professional career, he felt he had to,” he said. “Hopefully he can get a few games up front which would benefit him for England.”

Rooney refused to be drawn on his favoured strike partner or position before Monday’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland in Basel. England will be without Daniel Sturridge, who suffered a thigh strain in training on Friday, meaning Welbeck is likely to partner him in attack. “It is whoever the manager decides to pick to play. We are all capable of playing and doing well for England,” he said.

Rooney admitted England would have to play better than they did against Norway to beat the Swiss. “It is going to be tough game, we know that. But we have to focus and work on things which we feel we can expose them.”

In the absence of Steven Gerrard, his predecessor as captain, and fellow stalwart Frank Lampard, Rooney said it was time for England’s younger players to impress. He said: “Now the younger lads, they have to come in and step up, it is as simple as that. There are big expectations playing for England and we all understand that and that starts on Monday.”