FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED forward Dion Dublin feels Wayne Rooney may be in for a frosty reception in Sweden next week when he links up with his clubmates.
Although doubts remain as to the official nature of Rooney’s wishes to leave the Premier League champions, he is upset at his demotion within the United ranks. Chelsea have made one transfer request already for the striker but United manager David Moyes insists his striker is going nowhere.
Dublin, in an interview with Now That’s What I Call Sport on 98fm, believes Rooney may have some explaining to do when the squad convene in Stockholm for a 6 August friendly against AIK Fotboll.
“If you hear that from within your camp and you hear players want to leave,” said Dublin, “well that means they don’t want to play with you. If that’s the case, I wouldn’t want to play with him.”
“I don’t understand,” Dublin confessed. “If the rumours are true and he has asked to leave [I'd ask] ‘Why do you want to leave Manchester United?’ The only way to go is down”
Dublin believes Moyes’ inauguration at Old Trafford was planned well in advance by former boss Alex Ferguson. “He is the closest United could have to to Sir Alex and I think he’ll do well. It will take time and players will take time to adjust. It’s a different regime.”
United’s main challengers, the former England international declared, will be Chelsea and their coach, Jose Mourinho, who has brought excitement back to Stamford Bridge. Dublin backed “world class” Fernando Torres to bring his cup competition scoring touch into Premier League fixtures next season.
Manchester City may have splashed just shy of €40m on forwards Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic but Dublin expects Manuel Pellegrini, their new manager, to begin the league campaign with Sergio Aguero partnering Edin Dzeko up front.
Dublin, who played at United for two seasons, had some words of comfort for Liverpool supporters. Luis Suarez, he believes, will be at Anfield for the start of the season. “I don’t like him, at all,” said Dublin, “but I think he’s a world class player and if you can have him in your side it’s a lot easier than playing against him.”
