Wayne Rooney (36) believes it is time for a generational change in Manchester United and advises the club to get rid of two of their biggest stars: Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo.
–
– I think it has come to a point where it is probably better for Paul Pogba to move on. If Paul is honest with himself, he probably did not have the impact he wanted after returning to Manchester United, Rooney told Sky Sports.
The Derby coach played for Manchester United from 2004 to 2017 and is considered one of the club’s greatest legends. Rooney played with Pogba in the 11/12 season and in 16/17. But the former top scorer is not impressed with the Frenchman’s performance for the club.
– I have seen him for France, and then he is a completely different player. The skills, overview and control of the game are always there for France. It has not worked out completely in United for him, and there are a few players the club should let go now, says Rooney.
Pogba’s contract at Manchester United expires in June 2022, while Cristiano Ronaldo’s extends until the summer of 2023. Rooney also believes the Portuguese should exit the gates at Old Trafford this summer, despite being United’s top scorer this season with 18 goals in all competitions.
– He scored important goals earlier in the season, in the Champions League and he scored a hat trick against Tottenham, but I think if you look at the future of the club, you have to bet on younger, hungry players to lift United over the next two -three years, says Rooney about his longtime teammate. He continues:
– Cristiano has grown older, and he is certainly not the player he was when he was in his 20s, and that is common. He’s a goal threat, but I think they need more in the other parts of the game.
–Manchester United will also be looking for a manager this summer, as sitting Ralf Rangnick is only there on a temporary basis to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who was fired in November.
– There has not been a “permanent” manager there since Sir Alex Ferguson, so I think whoever comes in must have time to build relationships with players, says Rooney and points to PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino as the best candidate for taking over.
– They went through a transition period (under Ole Gunnar Solskjær) and it did not work. It is obvious that it did not work in the end with Ole, or with the manager who has now come in. I think Pochettino is a top manager. He knows how to work with first-class players, but also with young players, he adds.
- Manchester United are in 7th place in the Premier League with 51 points in their 30 matches. They have 22 points up to city rival Manchester City who lead the league.
–
