Arsenal legend Perry Groves believes Manchester United would be a better team with Wayne Rooney in midfield.
The 34-year-old former England captain made a winning start to his Derby County career on Thursday night, making his debut in the starting line-up as captain and getting an assist in a 2-1 win over Barnsley.
The match was a long-time coming for Rooney, who has been in intense training for months in preparation for his return to English football after two years at MLS side DC United.
He showed he is still more than capable of competing with a strong battling performance in the heart of the Rams’ midfield, providing a brilliant swooping pass for Jack Marriott’s winning goal.
And Groves was so impressed with what he saw that he is convinced the former United striker would walk into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s struggling side, who lost 2-0 to the Gunners on New Year’s Day.
Asked if Rooney would improve Man United’s current midfield, Groves said on The Sports Bar: “Yes. Undoubtedly. He would, 100 per cent.
“He’s better than Fred and he’s better than [Nemanja] Matic. Is he better than Lingard? I’m better than Lingard!
“Wayne Rooney is that good, he can still play in that United team.
“He reminds me of Paul Scholes. He used to be a player who got in the box, then as he got older he had to drop a bit deeper and started being the playmaker.
“Rooney can do that in a heartbeat. He would improve United, 100 per cent.”
Click Here: liverpool mens jersey