Manchester United are still in the mix for a top four finish after a 2-0 win over the Clarets yesterday.
Rooney, 31, was handed just his second start of the year at Turf Moor.
He rewarded his manager with a goal, firing home United's second shortly before the break.
And, Mourinho, whose side now sit just one point adrift of fourth-place Manchester City, was delighted with his skipper's performance.
So much so that he gave him the full 90 minutes, having originally intended to withdraw the England international after an hour.
“I was thinking about one hour," Mourinho said of Rooney.
"I gave him 90 minutes because he was solid, he was in the game, he was intelligent holding the ball for us, assisting [by] coming inside to play.
"I don’t even [need to] speak about an important goal. A captain for us.”
