According to sources ESPN FC, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has asked club captain Wayne Rooney to quit Old Trafford if he wants to play regular first-team football.
United's manager has informed Rooney's advisors that he cannot guarantee the 31-year-old star a starting XI place. Although Mourinho is not desperate to sell Rooney in the upcoming January transfer window but he is open to the idea now, which seemed impossible a couple of months ago.
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Rooney was injured and could not bed part of United’s squad against Chelsea where the Red Devils were humbled 4-0 by a rampaging Chelsea side. The biggest question mark about Rooney’s game right now is his position and how he isn’t impacting games for Manchester United.
Mourinho has tried to use his skipper in the number 10 role and as a lone striker up top, however, results have been far from ideal, which has now resulted in Rooney on the verge of being sold by Jose Mourinho.
Did Mourinho invite this mess on himself?
In Mourinho’s press conference after being unveiled as the United manager, the Portuguese manager had bullishly announced that Rooney will either player as number 10 or as a striker, which hasn’t really happened for the ‘Special One’ and Rooney.
The striker’s lack of mobility and goalless streak this season probably makes him the least deserving to play in those positions. His understanding of the game and wide range of passing could still be an asset for Mourinho, but the manager is not prepared to go down that road yet
What next for Rooney?
The popular belief around Premier League is that if Rooney is sold by United, he would most definitely head to MLS to follow the likes of David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. The Chinese league could also be an option but given Rooney's competitive levels, he would look to stay away from China, at least for now.
One club who can benefit from Rooney’s woes at United are Everton, who could offer their former star a route back to the starting XI place. Manager Ronald Koeman is looking for a leader in his team, who can guide the youthful Everton side to greater things.
Everton are currently 6th in the league table and ahead of United by 1 point and given Rooney's history with the club the England international may consider the option of going back to the team where it all started for him.
