Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future: Antoine Griezmann, Paulo Dybala and seven others who could replace him
With Red Devils captain now an outcast under Jose Mourinho, it looks at his time is up — but will Old Trafford giants turn to?
WAYNE ROONEY’S situation at Manchester United really is quite dire.
His relationship with the fans has been strained for a few years now, but he had always been able to answer his critics on the pitch.
However, now — he is out of the team and all alone, as he faces questions from all angles.
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The general feeling is that it may be best for all concerned if Rooney were to leave.
And if that does happen, United will have a huge hole to fill — considering he’s been in the side for 12 years.
So who would be viable replacements?
Antoine Griezmann
ATLETICO MADRID striker is the obvious replacement for Rooney.
The Frenchman has established himself as one of the leading strikers in the world after his performances in La Liga and for France at Euro 2016.
Griezmann certainly wouldn’t be cheap, but he is certainly better than United’s current strike options.
Mauro Icardi
INTER MILAN captain has fallen out with the fans and a move may be on the cards soon.
Icardi is a known hothead — but that is precisely the type of character Jose Mourinho likes to work with.
He is just 23 and could be a long-term option.
Paulo Dybala
ARGENTINA’S latest talented frontman was recently nominated for the Ballon d’Or.
Dybala is considered one of football’s brightest stars.
Was Juventus’ star man last season and has continued scoring his exploits, despite the arrival of £75million-Gonzalo Higuain.
Isco
FORMER Golden Boy winner has serious question marks over his Real Madrid future.
Isco was billed as the future of Spanish football ahead of his move to the Bernabeu in 2013, but now can’t get into the first team.
Regardless, he still has undoubted quality and Mourinho would back himself to get the best out of him.
Adnan Januzaj
IT WOULD have to be the Sunderland loanee’s final chance.
Januzaj burst onto the scene at Old Trafford, but has just disappeared into the oblivion since.
The one slight beacon of hope is his skilful goal at Aston Villa last season, when played in the No.10 role.
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Andrea Pereira
STICKING with theme of promoting from within, why not the Belgian-born Brazilian?
Pereira has shown glimpses — albeit very few — of his potential.
Perhaps, the responsibility of replacing Rooney would see him thrive.
Thorgan Hazard
WHAT would Eden think?
Mourinho famously fell out with Chelsea’s No.10, but would that stop his brother playing under the Special One?
Thorgan has been in splendid form for Borussia Monchengladbach this season — and a big-money move can’t be too far away.
Marco Verratti
HIGHLY-RATED Italian has quickly established himself as one of the top midfielders in Europe at Paris Saint-Germain.
Verratti is still just 23, but would improve most sides in Europe thanks to his calmness and range of passing.
He plays a little deeper — and maybe allow Paul Pogba to push further forward.
Angel Di Maria
IMAGINE spending a fortune to re-sign a player — United would never do that, would they?
From Di Maria’s point of view, he still has something to prove in the Premier League — and he knows what it’s like to play under Mourinho.
The Special One brought him to Real Madrid from Benfica in 2010.