Schmeichel Backs Rooney United Move
Peter Schmeichel believes a move to Old Trafford would be the making of England hero Wayne Rooney.
The Everton striker is the current subject of intense transfer speculation linking him with a multi-million pound switch to either United or Chelsea.
But Schmeichel believes a link up with Sir Alex Ferguson rather than Jose Mourinho, would be the ideal stepping stone for the teenager given the United manager´s experience of developing young players.
" I´m convinced United and Chelsea are going to come in with enormous bids and Rooney will not be an Everton player at the end of the summer," said the former United keeper in his Sunday Times column.
" I hope he chooses United over Chelsea and I´m already imagining the kind of partnership he could develop with Ruud van Nistelrooy.
" He is a northern boy and his family is very important to him. If he plays for United he won´t need to move home, but if he chose Chelsea he would find himself in London, a big city where there are a lot of temptations.
" You know United have the set-up and above all the manager to develop talent," continues Schmeichel.
" Sir Alex is exactly who Rooney needs. The most important things he teaches young players are humility and respect. He keeps his players under control and the thing he insists on more than anything is that as a player your priority has got to be football, 100 per cent.
" Everton know he is going to leave at some stage and it might as well be now. They need an injection of cash and some quality players and a deal for Rooney would give them both.
" Balance is what Rooney is going to want at this crucial time in his life. He would find it at Old Trafford, along with everything else he needs."
Report by Gemma Thompson.