Jose Mourinho is reportedly open to the sale of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, who has recently found himself out of the Portuguese’s starting lineup.
According to ESPN, Jose Mourinho is prepared to let go of current Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney. The Portuguese is reportedly open to the idea of selling the Englishman, who has gone on to become an icon for the Red Devils over the past years.
Mourinho is planning an overhaul of his first-team squad come January and is ready to part with players whom he deems unfit to be a part of his plans in the immediate future. Among others, Wayne Rooney is a name that has cropped up as a potential January departure from the club.
The former Chelsea boss, who has often spoken of his admiration for the England international, does not see Rooney as a key part of his first-team setup any longer. With further additions lined up for January, the Portuguese is looking to make some room with the sale of fringe players.
There have been reports of United lining up moves for Real Madrid playmaker Isco and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann as ready replacements for the Englishman, and ESPN’s story will only add to the speculation about the United veteran’s potential departure.
Rooney signed a five-year contract extension in 2014 and the club captain, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Monday, is unlikely to want to part with the club where he has etched his name in the history books.
There have been reports circulating about the possibility of a move to China, with former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is currently the manager of Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG, reportedly offering the 31-year-old a chance to join him at the club with a staggering wage offer of up to £500k per week.
There is another possibility of Rooney making the move to the United States with MLS outfit Los Angeles Galaxy, who are exploring the possibility to sign the player as a potential marquee replacement for Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, who appears to be on his way out.
Rooney has faced criticism all his professional life and has fought his way through it to have an immensely successful career at Manchester United. As such, rather than happily obliging and leaving to earn a last big pay-check in China or the MLS, the United captain might attempt to prove once again — this time to Mourinho as well — that his talent warrants a place at Manchester United.
