Ray Wilkins: "Chelsea would be a step down for Wayne Rooney"

United have rejected two bids from Chelsea for Wayne Rooney. (Getty Images)

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes that leaving Manchester United for Chelsea would be a step down for Wayne Rooney and has asked the England international to reconsider his stance.

Chelsea had put in two bids for Rooney, the second of which was worth £30 million, but both of them were rejected by Manchester United.

“It shouldn’t end this way, it’s getting horrible,” Wilkins told talkSPORT. “I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again. Once you leave Manchester United there’s only one way you’re going.

“United are in the top three biggest clubs on the planet, therefore they will always buy and buy and buy because they always want to be successful.

“If you want to win things then there’s no better club to be at than Manchester United.

“So what if you’ve got a bit of competition with Robin van Persie, it’s healthy. He should stand up to the plate and show these people what he’s made of. He’s got so much wonderful football left in him.”

He also added that Rooney would be making a mistake if he left Old Trafford and that if worst comes to worst, the club should sell him only to a foreign club and not to their closest rivals.

“If I was David Moyes there’s no way I would sell him to anyone in England,” he added. “I’m sorry – he’d have to go abroad.

“I would love him to join Chelsea though. I would love nothing more than to see Wayne Rooney wearing that blue shirt.

“I just think he’s ready for his second coming, he’s 27-years-old and if for some strange outcome he stays in England, then Wayne is ready to start again.

“United would be crazy to do that though, they shouldn’t sell him to one of their closest rivals.”