5 players who could replace Wayne Rooney at Manchester United

Manchester United’s record all-time goalscorer and a bonafide Premier League legend, Wayne Rooney could well be on his way out of Old Trafford in the summer transfer window. Having struggled for form and fitness this season, Rooney has been relegated to a secondary role and there have been various reports of the former Evertonian returning to his boyhood club.

The once talismanic striker now plays more in the number 10 role and although his influence on the game has diminished, there is no doubting the fact that United will definitely miss a player of his calibre. Without much ado, let us take a look at 5 world class stars who can replace Wayne Rooney at Manchester United:

#5 Ross Barkley

Evertonian. Check. Prodigious English talent. Check. Sound familiar? 23-year-old Liverpool-born attacking midfielder, Ross Barkley has been tipped for great things and after a tough start to the season, the attacking midfielder has rediscovered his best form under Ronald Koeman.

Blessed with pace, power and excellent technique, Barkley is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in English football at the moment. Along with Lukaku, Barkley has been crucial to Everton’s good form in the Premier League and his creativity, passing range and dribbling skills have earned rave reviews from pundits and fans alike.

Also, Manchester United have a history of honing English talent and with Wayne Rooney set to move to the blue half of Merseyside, we might just see Barkley make a move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

#4 Angel Gomes

Manchester United have a rich tradition of making stars out of academy graduates. The latest and most talented prodigy in the United academy is England U-18 star Angel Gomes. Still only 16, the immense talent and potential of Gomes has not gone unnoticed with La Liga giants Barcelona reportedly interested in signing the teenager.

Angel Gomes, just like Wayne Rooney is a versatile player capable of playing as a striker, on the wings, and even in the number 10 position. The youngster’s slender build allows him to move past players with ease and he also possesses a wide range of passing.

One of the biggest talents in the United set-up, Gomes is the cousin of Nani but has chosen to play for England national team even having captained the U-16 England side. Definitely one for the future, Mourinho will be keeping a keen eye on how Angel Gomes develops.

#3 James Rodriguez

One player who has constantly been linked with a move away from Real Madrid is Colombian superstar James Rodriguez. Signed with much fanfare after a stupendous showing in the 2014 World Cup, Rodriguez has failed to live up to his immense talent at the Bernabeu.

The Colombian has failed to earn a regular starting berth and has fallen behind Isco and even talented youngster Marco Asensio in the pecking order. Still only 25, there is no doubting the quality James possesses.

Blessed with a brilliant first touch, great vision and a keen eye for goal, James Rodriguez is capable of unlocking defences with brilliant through balls, insightful crosses and intelligent runs. A perfect number 10, James Rodriguez will definitely improve the United squad.

Another interesting point is the fact that both James Rodriguez and Jose Mourinho share the same agent, Jorge Mendes and a blockbuster summer move could come to fruition in the summer transfer window.

#2 Dele Alli

20-year-old Dele Alli has taken the footballing world by storm. The Tottenham man is one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League and has been touted by many to make a move to a European super club in the summer transfer window.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are all apparently in the race to sign the Englishman. Alli is capable of playing in multiple positions across the midfield and if Rooney does indeed leave United in the summer, the 20-year-old will be a natural replacement for the United legend at Old Trafford.

Alli is an all action player and he also has an immense passing range and a keen eye for goals. Capable of making intelligent runs into the box and picking out the front man with clever passes, Alli is definitely capable of stepping into Wayne Rooney’s shoes at Old Trafford.

#1 Thomas Muller

One of the biggest names in world football at the moment, Thomas Muller has not been at his best at Bayern Munich. A natural goalscorer and usually always competing for the golden boot in Bundesliga, Muller this season has only managed to score two goals. Also, his performances in general have been scratchy and this has led to Ancelotti dropping the versatile forward to the bench for important matches.

While Muller might have struggled this season, there is no denying his obvious quality. Capable of playing in a variety of positions, Muller is one of the most versatile players in the game and has a natural eye for goal. Equally comfortable as a striker, support striker, number 10 or even as a number 8 on some occasions, Muller will be more than a handy replacement for Wayne Rooney at United.

Manchester United have not been shy of spending big money on players they want and a significant outlay on Muller would definitley not be the worst decision United’s transfer committee has made in the recent past.