Former Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney, has thrown his weight behind Arsenal to win the English Premier League title this season, placing them ahead of fierce rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
Speaking candidly about his preferences, the 40-year-old football legend admitted that his deep-rooted club loyalties heavily influence his stance, especially his aversion to seeing arch-rivals Liverpool lift the trophy.
As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Rooney noted the intense competitiveness of the current season while openly backing the Gunners to emerge victorious.
“I would prefer Arsenal to win it. I played for Manchester United for 13 years! For me, Liverpool are the ones I wouldn’t want to win it, and then it would be City. I think Arsenal will just win it,” Rooney said.
The former England striker highlighted that key upcoming fixtures between the title contenders will be the ultimate decider. “I think a big factor will be if Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the Champions League.
The emotions around the League Cup final, the Champions League games, if that is the case, and then the game at the Etihad. The emotion around those games and what that will bring, whoever comes out on top in those, I think, will win the league.”
Despite favoring Arsenal in the title race, Rooney was full of praise for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, expressing his hope that the Spaniard remains in English football beyond this season.
Guardiola, who has guided City to six Premier League titles since his arrival in 2016, faces uncertainty regarding his future at the Etihad, with a decision on whether he will stay or depart expected towards the end of the current campaign.
“I hope he stays because he is brilliant for the Premier League, and you want the best managers in the Premier League,” Rooney stated. “He has set a benchmark over the past 10 years for everyone else.”
Addressing speculations about a potential successor should Guardiola leave, Rooney brushed aside suggestions of former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, advocating instead for a Manchester City legend. He named current Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany as the ideal replacement.
“If Pep does go, they have to go and get Vincent Kompany,” Rooney suggested. “He knows the club; he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.”
Rooney further hinted that Guardiola would likely play a significant role in handpicking his successor to ensure the club’s continued dominance if he steps down after a decade of unprecedented success.
