Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Wayne Rooney and Jose Gimenez

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney will reportedly be offered the chance to move to the Chinese Super League, where he would potentially pick up a weekly salary of £500,000.

According to Neil Moxley of the Sunday Mirror, former England manager and current boss of Shanghai SIPG Sven-Goran Eriksson wants to sign the 30-year-old, who has been bumped down the pecking order as of late at Old Trafford.

In the report, it’s noted the Chinese outfit made a similar offer to Rooney 10 months ago, although he declined. 

“However, the striker’s position has changed since Jose Mourinho took over at Old Trafford with the new United boss unable to guarantee his captain a regular starting place,” added Moxley. “And with his England career now also at a crossroads, Rooney’s head could well be turned by the mind-boggling figures on offer.”

There’s certainly a sense that Rooney’s career at United is heading towards a critical point. Over the past couple of campaigns, the spark has gone from the England man’s game, and Mourinho looks to have better options in the roles he would previously occupy with such distinction.

Indeed, football journalist Liam Canning is unsure whether the striker will become a key first-team player at United ever again:

While his stock at Old Trafford may have fallen, Rooney may feel capable of having an impact at the highest level elsewhere. And while the Chinese Super League is undoubtedly on the rise, it’s not to the same kind of standard as the Premier League or any of European football’s other elite divisions.

But if the only alternative for Rooney is sitting on the bench with the Red Devils, he’s got a big decision to make. Working with a familiar figure like Eriksson and picking up such a lucrative salary wouldn’t be the worst way to approach the twilight of his career, either.

United Linked with Jose Gimenez

United will reportedly rival Arsenal in the chase for Atletico Madrid’s young centre-back Jose Gimenez.

According to John Richardson of the Sunday Mirror, the Red Devils have been impressed by the Uruguayan international while scouting the team’s star forward Antoine Griezmann.

“Arsenal have already made enquiries, but so far Atletico are reluctant to part with a player who is rated highly by the manager Diego Simeone,” the piece continued.

It’s noted in the report that Mourinho wants to bring in another centre-back to bolster his defensive options.

Here’s a reminder why the 21-year-old is rated as one of the best young defenders in world football:

This season has been one of frustration for Gimenez, as he’s currently suffering with an abductor injury; he’s played a meagre 36 minutes in La Liga this term, but he has turned out for 90 minutes in the Champions League.

However, United would have seen enough of the defender to know his qualities. While he may not be the best on the ball in terms of distribution, the Uruguayan relishes his defensive duties. In terms of blocks, tackles and reading of the game, Gimenez is as strong as any player in Spain.

Despite this, Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC feels as though Atletico may benefit from cashing in on the centre-back:

Atletico certainly wouldn’t be short of options at the back if he did depart. As aforementioned, Lucas Hernandez is a wonderful talent, while the current partnership of Diego Godin and Stefan Savic has blossomed.

A fully fit Gimenez would be an upgrade on United’s current centre-back options. Additionally, if he was to move to Old Trafford, he could potentially forge a brilliant long-term partnership with Eric Bailly.

However, given Atletico are blocked from registering new players until January 2018, it’d be a big surprise to see one of their star defenders moved on.