Wayne Rooney prefers Pochettino over ten Hag at Man Utd, wants to get rid of Pogba and Ronaldo | OneFootball

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has offered an insight into the Red Devils’ summer rebuild plans, suggesting the ideal managerial choice and the players who need to be sold.

The Derby County manager has backed Paris Saint-Germain’s Mauricio Pochettino to be United’s new permanent manager although Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly the favourite for the job.

Rooney believes the Argentine gaffer is the best fit to lead the rebuild at Old Trafford, providing his experience in the Premier League and the reputation to nurture young talents.

Rooney told Sky Sports: “I think Pochettino has done it in the Premier League. He knows the Premier League and at Tottenham he brought a lot of players through. He did it at Southampton as well.

“If I’m choosing from one of the two, that’s who I’d choose. He would need to be given time to place his blueprint on the club and on the team. If you give him time, I think he’d do well.”

Rooney also added that United should move away from midfielder Paul Pogba, who he feels hasn’t made a great impact.

The French midfielder’s contract expires this summer, and he is widely speculated to leave Old Trafford.

Rooney added: “I think it’s got to a point where it’s probably better for him to move on. If Paul is honest with himself, he probably hasn’t had the impact he’d have liked since he returned to Manchester United

“I watch him for France and he’s a completely different player. The ability, vision and control of the game is always there for France. It hasn’t quite worked at United for him, and there’s a few players they need to let go of.”

Talking about his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney feels the Portuguese striker should make way for younger players.

When asked whether the former Real Madrid star has made an impact in his second spell at Old Trafford, the former Everton star replied: “You’d have to say no, at the minute.

“He’s scored important goals early on in the season in the Champions League and he’s scored the hat-trick against Tottenham but I think if you’re looking towards the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to lift United over the next two or three years.

“Cristiano is getting on a bit and he’s certainly not the player he was when he was in his 20s and that happens. He’s a goal threat but I think during the rest of the game, they need more.”

Rooney also added that United should build the squad around young players like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.