5 players who could replace Wayne Rooney at Manchester United

Whether the most ardent Manchester United fan is prepared to admit it or not, Wayne Rooney is in decline. Pretty much over the entirety of Louis van Gaal’s reign at Old Trafford, the captain and longest-serving player has been experiencing a gradual but undeniable regression to the point where cries for him to be dropped have become stronger than ever, the analysis over his persistent sluggish form more incessant than ever and his own body language as negative as ever. Having scored only 12 goals in 34 appearances for the club this season, it's safe to say Rooney is not the same Rooney who wowed crowds and scored ridiculous goals to ensure Manchester United remained the giants they were. However, ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, his influence has reduced as well. The need for a replacement has never been greater and, so, here are five worthy candidates to succeed Rooney as United’s goalscorer-in-chief.

#5 Gonzalo Higuain

The Argentine striker is arguably in the form of his life, scoring goals for fun with Napoli this season. Higuain has always found the net wherever he has played, spending seven excellent seasons with Real Madrid before moving to Italy.

However, at 27, Higuain still has plenty of time to ply his trade in England and United could make him a cracking offer to be the main man at Old Trafford.

Hardworking, prolific and highly technical, Higuain would be another mouthwatering prospect in a post-Rooney era and a striker who has been operating at the peak of his powers – the opposite end of the form spectrum to United’s wayward centre forward.

#4 Edinson Cavani

If Manchester United are looking to spend big to recruit a proven goalscorer – and they seem like they will once again flex their financial muscles – Cavani could be a fantastic marquee acquisition. His goals and all-round excellence for Napoli first and PSG now have attracted interest from pretty much every single heavyweight club in Europe and United may feel confident that, if they can offer Champions League football and astronomical wages, Cavani could be their man.

The Uruguayan international had an excellent campaign last year, scoring 31 goals, and he has continued to terrorise defences with regularity this time out with 9 goals in his first 15 games. He is strong, athletic and loves scoring goals – and would be any United fan’s dream transfer target.

As previously mentioned, Cavani won’t come cheap. But his tireless work-rate and consistency in finding the net would surely install him as an instant favourite with the United fans. He has spent two years in France and there has been talk previously that he would be open to a move to England.

Only time will tell if United is his next destination.

#3 Harry Kane

Of course, if Kane doesn’t feel like leaving the Premier League is the right path for his international career, he could take up the mantle as United’s main striker, much like he seems to be doing for Roy Hodgson’s England. Kane exploded onto the scene in spectacular fashion last season, scoring 30 goals for Spurs and proving himself as one of the deadliest marksmen around.

While he hasn’t exactly caught fire this season, he is still only 22 and has bundles of potential and natural goalscoring prowess. If United signed Kane and gave him time to harness the huge expectations of the United supporters, he seems like the perfect fit.

With Kane’s appetite for goal and willingness to run beyond defenders, he would slot in perfectly and provide a willing target for United’s playmakers in Juan Mata and Ander Herrera.

United were told by Daniel Levy to forget about signing the England striker in the summer, but Woodward and Van Gaal are unlikely to be deterred that easily and, if Rooney’s apathetic displays persist, they will be left with no option but to invest in the younger, hungrier Kane.

#2 Thomas Muller

United have not had any trouble in keeping their interest in Thomas Muller quiet, to the point where Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge publicly rubbished reports of a potential departure of the player from the Allianz Arena, saying that bids for him were ‘useless.’

There have been reports recently that Bayern are targeting Spurs striker Harry Kane as a potential replacement for Muller. So if they are indeed angling for the German international’s exit, United may well stand a chance.

Muller would bring genuine star quality to United and is exactly the big-hearted fighter the Stretford End could warm to. His goalscoring ratio isn’t too shabby either, netting over 20 goals in each of his last three seasons and looking set to surpass that comfortably this term with 14 goals in 16.

Hot stuff from one of the greatest forwards in world football – and a sign that he is exactly what United require to become an attacking force once again.

#1 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale was always going to be the main man on this list, basically because he is Ed Woodward’s top transfer target – and always has been. Numerous attempts to lure the Welsh winger have failed, but Woodward remains determined to get his man and has been somewhat encouraged by murmurings of discontent from Madrid fans over Bale’s form and inability to match up with global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

While Bale is naturally a wide player, he is now 26 and could easily adapt to a central role at Old Trafford, having been successfully deployed in the centre under new Madrid boss Rafa Benitez. Van Gaal craves pace and creativity across his frontline and Bale possesses both qualities in abundance. Even if he isn’t going to get 25-30 goals every season, his sheer natural talent would reinvigorate a deeply uninspiring United attack.

The latest transfer gossip columns have dedicated further inches to a proposed United move for Bale next summer, although they will have to break Bale’s own world record fee to acquire his services, with fees of up to £90 million being touted.