Wayne Rooney once named four players he believed Manchester United should build around - but all of them are now no longer at the club. The Red Devils icon has been outspoken on the state of the club since his departure in 2017.

While Rooney, who turns 40 today, was a key player for the United teams that won several Premier League titles and a Champions League years ago, the top-flight side have dramatically fallen from grace since his era. It was in 2022 when the ex-England captain believed in order for success to return to Old Trafford, United must build their team around four players in particular, upon the appointment of Ralf Rangnick's replacement that summer.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "I think [Jadon] Sancho will be better next year, Marcus [Rashford] will be better next year. They've got good young players. I think Jesse Lingard should be playing for them because he brings energy, brings quality. Scott McTominay's done well. So they do have...