Wayne Rooney To Be Dropped As Manchester United Captain

The 2016/17 season for Wayne Rooney might have been the one where he broke Sir Bobby Charlton's record as Manchester United goalscorer but it might also be his last as the club's captain.

Last season Rooney had to make do with a reduced role in the Manchester United squad as Jose Mourinho wouldn't find a place for 'Wazza' in his first team,

Up front Zlatan Ibrahimovic and latterly Marcus Rashford replaced the 31 year old whilst in the number 10 position Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were fancied ahead of him.

_{Zlatan was just too good to be displaced by Rooney last season. Image: PA}

It meant that Rooney lost his place in the England squad and started just 15 games in the Premier League for United, with many of those games coming at the end of the season.

There has been lots of rumours that the striker could be leaving Old Trafford with clubs in China and America as well as former club Everton all linked with a move.

At the moment it doesn't look like he'll be leaving however according to reports in the British media, via Metro, Mourinho is about to strip him of the captain's armband.

DDD

_{Rooney's importance to the team has reduced in the past couple of seasons. Image: PA}

The news might not be a surprise but will come as a blow to Rooney if he is to stay in the red half of Manchester next season.

According to the report Mourinho is eyeing up Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba as potential replacements for Rooney.

Carrick has only one year left on his contract at Old Trafford and could also have a reduced importance in the team next season depending on possible additions to the squad.

Herrera has become a big fan favourite in the past couple of seasons and has become an on field general for the 13 time Premier League champions because of his combative style.

Ander Herrera

_{Herrera could be the perfect choice as captain. Image: PA}

Mourinho will be hoping to get more out of Pogba next season and instilling him with the captaincy could give him the push.

With Rooney's high wage demands it's unlikely he'll move back to Goodison Park so a move to China makes more sense but it's unlikely to appeal to him.

It's a shame that such a good player is limping to his exit like this.

Topics: Paul Pogba, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28