Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been urged by a club legend to invite Wayne Rooney onto his backroom staff.
Amorim has endured a tough two months since being appointed as Erik ten Hag’s replacement at Old Trafford. United are 14th in the Premier League and floundering, with a trip to table-toppers Liverpool up next after four straight defeats.
The Red Devils shipped 11 goals on that run, but having failed to score in their last three, there are clear problems at both ends of the pitch. United hero Wes Brown believes that Rooney, who left Plymouth Argyle earlier this week with the Pilgrims bottom of the Championship, could help solve his former club’s attacking issues.
“If Wayne wanted to spend time as a striking coach he would be absolutely brilliant at it,” Brown told The Sports Daily. “He was one of the best goalscorers we’ve ever seen and was a top playmaker as well. If he wanted to do that he would be very good on movement and things like that, he was one of the best to do it.”
Amorim’s current striker options, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, set United back a combined £108million. But they have only managed five league goals between them this season – a startling drop-off from the division’s top-scorer, Mohamed Salah, who has 17.
While the outlook is bleak for Zirkzee after he was hauled off in the first half of United’s home defeat to Newcastle last time out, 21-year-old Hojlund is still seen as a player with big potential.
Brown thinks Rooney could be the man to take him up a level. “Could he help Rasmus Hojlund at United? I think all young strikers would love to listen to Wayne and his knowledge,” he continued.
“When I was a young player I remember getting a few tips from Laurent Blanc and the little things like that can really help. If Wayne was on hand to give out some advice, I’m sure everyone would be willing to listen.”
Rooney’s managerial career is on the rocks, with his time at Plymouth lasting only seven months following spells with Derby County, D.C. United and Birmingham City. But time is still on the 39-year-old’s side.
“Wayne is the sort of guy to keep his head up and wait to see if another opportunity arises,” said Brown. “He’ll be ready to take a new challenge again in no time but of course he’ll be really disappointed as he was so determined to do well there.”
