Who should replace Wayne Rooney at Manchester United?
After Sir Alex Ferguson’s stunning revelation that Wayne Rooney wants to leave Manchester United, the Red Devils manager will be hurrying to draw up a shortlist of potential replacements in case the striker leaves during the January transfer window.
So, presuming Rooney doesn’t have a sudden change of heart, are there really any strikers out there who can fill the huge void left by the England international?
This lot would certainly relish the opportunity:
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid, 22, France)
Perhaps the most likely player to replace Rooney, Karim Benzema is a striker who was almost brought to Old Trafford by long-term admirer Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2009. The France international established his reputation at Lyon, where his deadly eye for goal made him one of Europe’s most revered up-and-coming forwards. Rather oddly, things haven’t quite worked out for the 22-year-old at Real Madrid, as many had initially predicted. With Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo firmly above him in the pecking order at the Bernabeu, a big-money move to Old Trafford looks a very strong possibility.
Likelihood rating: 8/10
Hulk (Porto, 24, Brazil)
Nicknamed ‘Hulk’ due to his resemblance to actor Lou Ferrigno, who played the green comic book hero, the Porto player lives up to his adopted name with sheer brute strength. The stocky striker is very similar in stature to Rooney, and Ferguson may believe that his physical attributes make him ideally suited to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. With nine goals in his first 10 goals at the start of this season, Hulk certainly knows how to hit the back of the net. Equipped with a tremendous combination of skill and power, and a deadly left foot, the Brazil international should be high on Ferguson’s most-wanted list.
Likelihood rating: 7/10
Luis Suárez (Ajax, 23, Uruguay)
The pantomime villain of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, after that infamous handball against Ghana, Ajax striker Luis Suárez boasts a phenomenal goal-scoring record. The 23-year-old scored a remarkable 49 goals in 48 games for the Eredivisie outfit last season, and currently has 11 in 14 at the start of the current campaign. Linked to a host of Europe’s biggest clubs last summer, it was a major surprise that the Uruguay international stayed in Holland. However, Ferguson may have reservations over his ability to lead the line at Old Trafford, but the prospect of a deadly strike partnership between him and Dimitar Berbatov would certainly set pulses racing among the United faithful.
Likelihood rating: 7/10
Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg, 24, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
At over 6ft 3in, Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko is a powerhouse of a striker, complete with a superb goalscoring track record. With 61 goals in 100 matches for the Bundesliga side, the Bosnia & Herzegovina international has undoubtedly proven himself since arriving in Germany three years ago. His record at international level isn’t bad either: 16 goals in 29 appearances suggest that Dzeko is well and truly the real deal. Equally as impressive in the air, as he is on the deck, the 24-year-old would have no problem leading the line at Old Trafford. But with Berbatov already in the ranks, Ferguson may opt to look for a striker with fewer similarities than the Bulgarian.
Likelihood rating: 6/10
Fernando Torres (Liverpool, 26, Spain)
No player has moved directly from Manchester United to Liverpool, or vice-versa, since Phil Chisnall arrived at Anfield from Old Trafford in 1964. Ferguson has made no secret of his dislike for the Merseyside club throughout his 24-year reign with the Red Devils, but as his good friend Roy Hodgson is currently at the Liverpool helm, a deal for Fernando Torres may not be implausible. The Spain international has been visibly off the pace since arriving back from the World Cup, with many drawing the conclusion that he’s looked disinterested. A controversial move to Manchester United would not sit well with the Liverpool faithful, but there’s little doubt, despite his current form, that Torres is a player of undisputed class, and a striker who could fill Rooney’s boots with aplomb.
Likelihood rating: 4/10
Tags: