Manchester United urged to re-sign Wayne Rooney on loan from DC United in January
talkSPORT pundit believes the in-form striker would improve the Red Devils on and off the pitch if he returned
Manchester United have been urged to make a sensational move to re-sign Wayne Rooney this winter when his first MLS season comes to an end.
talkSPORT pundit Micky Gray believes the 32-year-old - United and England's record goalscorer - is just the leader Jose Mourinho needs to boost his dressing room and can help improve the Red Devils on the pitch too.
Rooney has revitalised his career in America this year with DC United, helping the MLS club rise from rock-bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to having a shot at title glory in the play-offs.
The former England captain has been a huge hit since leaving Everton for the United States, starring with 12 goals and six assists in 19 appearances for DC.
And he has been tipped to follow a number of former MLS players in returning to European football during the three-month winter break, which starts in December.
Former Tottenham and Liverpool striker Robbie Keane joined Aston Villa on loan during his time with LA Galaxy, while David Beckham spent two different spells on loan with AC Milan.
Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White on Tuesday, Gray said: “I think there’s a massive opportunity for Wayne Rooney to come back to the Premier League.
“And people might think I’m crazy, but I think Manchester United could take him.
“I don’t see why not. Everybody keeps questioning where the leaders are in that squad, but if Wayne goes back there, he knows the club inside out.
“They would absolutely love to see him walk back through that door.
“He’s a leader and if he’s flying and full of confidence like he is right now, it’s a no-brainer.
“If he’s got the opportunity to come back for three months, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t take up that opportunity. Who knows what he could achieve while he’s there from December to March.
“Wayne could fit right back into that team. Why wouldn’t you want it?
“He got himself stuck in a bit of a rut at Everton, everybody thought his form had dipped and he lost his pace etc, etc, but he’s rejuvenated himself in America.
“Wayne is only 32 and he’s played 19 games, so he’s fresh, he’s fit, he’s 100 per cent raring to go.
“He’s full of confidence and he’s scoring goals, and if these play-offs go well for Wayne, he’s going to be sky high, he’s going to be on cloud nine.
“Would he make Manchester United better? Absolutely!
“Everybody criticises MLS football and it’s not the Premier League, I agree with that, but Wayne is enjoying his football that much, he’s playing every week and he knows what the Premier League is all about. You don’t even have to play him for 90 minutes.”
Gray also said bringing Rooney back to Old Trafford would make sense both on and off the pitch.
The former Sunderland star says believes the ex-United captain is the leader Mourinho needs and would be the perfect man to help reinvigorate the dressing room, as well as the form of certain players.
“I think having somebody of Wayne’s experience around Manchester United again… for example, let’s not forget that Wayne was there when Marcus Rashford was coming through and broke onto the scene and probably showed his best form in a United shirt,” added Gray.
“That’s down to having people like Wayne in your dressing room to look up to.
“Bringing somebody like that into the dressing room can only bring the best out of players, and that’s what Jose Mourinho needs right now.”
Listen back to Micky Gray on why Manchester United should re-sign Wayne Rooney IN FULL above!