Wayne Rooney won’t take not playing at Manchester United for much longer. That situation is going to come to a head sooner rather than later if he doesn’t get back in the team.

At the moment, he says he’s okay with it and wants to fight to prove himself but Jose Mourinho clearly has his concerns about him and if that continues he could go elsewhere, maybe next summer.

Wayne loves playing football more than anyone I’ve ever seen. I know he earns a fortune but he has always reminded me of a kid in the school ground just wanting to play.

He’s suffered with his form and I hope he revives himself at Old Trafford but if not a change of scenery could do him good.

Go back over the years and look at someone like Dave Mackay. He was a legend and for me the best player ever to play for Tottenham. Suddenly, Brian Clough comes in and takes him to Derby County aged 33 in 1968. Everyone thought he was at the end of his career but he won them promotion to the First Division and put them on track to becoming the best team in the country.

It was a different level to Wayne, of course, but Paul Merson transformed Portsmouth for me. He arrived back in 2002, the lads loved him and he was a good player given a fresh test of his character. There are certain players who thrive off that and Wayne might just need a new challenge.

He would be a great signing for a couple of seasons and could have a major impact on a Premier League club. He could tip the balance for a top-four team if United were to let him go. I’d take Wayne at Arsenal or Chelsea and he has to play as a No9 or 10 — midfield isn’t for him yet.