Manchester United have always had a player in the team who was hard to be replaced by the younger generation. The skipper, Wayne Rooney is one of them. He has been at the club since 2004 after two year spell at Everton. With Rooney in the team, United have won the Premier League five times, the UEFA Champions League once, the FIFA Club World Cup once, the FA Community Shield three times and the Football League Cup twice.
From a striker to a central attacking midfielder, Rooney has always been all-in-all been consistent throughout his career at Old Trafford. Even though the goals and assists stats have dropped, his presence and gameplay in any given match is usually top-class.
If Rooney is to be replaced, United will face a hard time finding someone to fill in his boots.
Here are a few potential players whom United can sign to replace Wazza:
- Kingsley Coman
Kingsley Coman is a French professional footballer who plays for Bayern Munich, on loan from Juventus, and the France national team as a forward or winger. He has earned over 30 caps in France’s youth teams, from U-16 to U-21 levels, and also made his debut for the senior team in November 2015. Coman is one the best upcoming talents. His pace and dribbling along with the key passes he distributes are threatening for the opposition. He has been on a lookout by many clubs since his form upped in Bayern Munich.
Positions: Attacking midfielder, Winger, Forward
Age: 19
Height: 5’8
Weight: 71kgs
Characteristics:
Good dribbling.
Keeps ball possession.
Accurate passes.
Weak at finishing and defending.
Stats 2015/16 in Bayern Munich
Goals Scored: 6
Total Appearances: 32
Assists: 10
Chances Created: 33
- Gabriel Barbosa
Gabriel is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Santos as a forward. On 25 September 2012, he signed a professional contract, with a €50 million buyout clause and made his first team debut on 17 January 2013. Gabriel has recently been named the “next Neymar” by many. There have been rumors that the Brazilian forward could be heading to England as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are all interested in signing him.
Positions: Forward, Winger
Age: 19
Height: 5’5
Weight: 68kgs
Characteristics:
Clinical Finishing
Weak in the air
Low defensive contribution
Accurate through passing
Stats 2015/16 for Santos
Goals Scored: 10
Appearances: 30
Assists: 4
Chances Created: 29
- Dele Alli
Dele Alli is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team. He signed for Tottenham Hotspur in February 2015 for an initial fee of £5 million. He has been an important part in Spurs’ title race this season. His performance has been consistent and has been labeled as one of the best upcoming stars in England alongside his teammate and BPL leading goal scorer, Harry Kane.
Alli possesses many skills which allow him to adjust in any midfield area.
Position: Midfielder (Left, Centre, Right)
Age: 20
Height: 6’
Weight: 76kgs
Characteristics:
Decent finishing
Strong ball interception
Good at tackling
Weak at crossing the ball
Stats 2015/16 for Tottenham Hotspur
Goals scored: 10
Appearances: 45
Assists: 11
Chances Created: 55
It is next to impossible to sign someone like Wayne Rooney because there isn’t any player like him. But Manchester United can still sign someone who can practically replace the skipper in terms of providing the team with his abilities.