Wayne Rooney: Should he stay or should he go?

Wayne Rooney has to decide where his future lies

It's the question on everyone's lips. Christian Crowther assesses the striker's options and gives his verdict on Rooney's best move...

David Moyes' first task as Man United boss is to try and persuade Wayne Rooney that his future lies at Old Trafford, but the market has the player at 1.75/7 to leave before the end of the transfer window. Here's a look at Rooney's choices...

Option 1: Stay at Manchester United
It often gets bandied about that no player who leaves United ever fares better elsewhere. While there is some evidence to support this theory, if you are good enough, like Ruud van Nistelrooy or Cristiano Ronaldo for example, there is no reason why you can't flourish with a new challenge. Part of the problem for Rooney in previous seasons was clearly a breakdown of relations with Sir Alex Ferguson - now gone of course - though, in former boss Moyes, there lies potential for further fireworks. By handing in a second transfer request in three seasons, Rooney clearly feels his position in the pecking order is slipping and, at 27, this will likely be his last chance to land another huge deal at a top club. Rooney's ego requires more of a boost than his medal collection right now.

Option 2: Join Chelsea
If rumours are to be believed, Chelsea plan to become the first club to properly test United's resolve by tabling a 20 million bid. Rooney himself has reportedly long been an admirer of Jose Mourinho and, if in the unlikely event that United sanctioned the move, he would no doubt be sorely tempted. However, with Edinson Cavani the subject of intense Chelsea interest also, and 50 million Fernando Torres still at Stamford Bridge, Rooney would run the risk of becoming part of a rotation process in west London in light of Mourinho's preference for employing one main striker.

Option 3: Join Paris St-Germain
The French champions have been consistently linked with a move for Rooney. However, their recent managerial shift has cooled rumours slightly, with Carlo Ancelotti, now in charge of Real Madrid, believed to have been the driving force. PSG do make for an interesting prospect, though with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi installed as the main men, it would be interesting to see where Rooney would fit in. The Parisian project also still feels a little like it could implode at some point.

Option 4: Join Arsenal
Although Arsenal have remained trophyless for eight seasons, the Emirates Stadium could be the perfect fit for Rooney. Unlike the other clubs he could be joining, Rooney would be arriving as the biggest name at the club, with no doubts over his likelihood of making the starting XI. Rooney is technically gifted and would relish playing the kind of neat passing game that Arsene Wenger has made his mantra in north London. If Rooney wants to feel valued, then this would undoubtedly be the ideal place, as England teammate Jack Wilshere's recent comments reveal. In a World Cup year, regular starts are vital too.

Option 5: Join Real Madrid
If Rooney was to move abroad then Madrid would be a better fit than Paris. In Ancelotti, the player clearly has a big admirer and Rooney's ego would undoubtedly get a good plumping up by the Spanish media on arrival. It could depend on who leaves the Bernabeu this summer, but Rooney would certainly have to expect some bench time as he fights for his place alongside the like of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

Verdict: Join Arsenal
As Rooney approaches what should be the peak of his career, a guaranteed starting spot as the focal point of a top-four club's attack has to be his priority.