United must keep Rooney, warns McGrath
Chelsea have already had two bids for Rooney rejected and manager Jose Mourinho, while refusing to refer to the striker by name, hinted on Sunday that the Blues will make another bid for the 27-year-old before the close of the transfer window.
McGrath, though, hopes Rooney will stay.
“I’d love him to stay at Manchester United because I love Manchester United, I loved playing there and I’d love Wayne to stay there. They’re going to have to pay huge money for him and if Chelsea pay that sort of money, Wayne will come back to haunt Manchester United,” McGrath warned.
United had a £28 million bid for Fellaini and Leighton Baines rejected by Everton yesterday and while McGrath feels United need to strengthen their midfield, he is unconvinced by the Belgium international’s temperament. He does, however, believe left-back Baines would be a useful addition.
“Leighton Baines is definitely worth the asking price but Fellaini, I’m not so sure. He’s kind of an on-and-off player. Sometimes he throws an elbow in someone’s face,” McGrath, who was speaking at a Q&A session at Cork’s Soho Bar to mark the launch of the Premier League, said.
Asked if Barcelona midfielder Fabregas was the answer to United’s midfield issues, McGrath replied: “Not for me, to be honest. I wouldn’t say he’s the greatest player on earth. He’s a great player but I wouldn’t bring him to Old Trafford.”
Last week, Mourinho questioned the standard of recent title-winning sides, a view McGrath shares. He expects the title race this season to be closer but ultimately expects United — if they keep Rooney — to again win the league.
“I would still see Manchester United [as favourites]. I don’t think they’ll have it as easy as last year, I think you’ll have three or maybe four you are genuinely going to have a go at them and they’re going to find it tougher.
“United won it too easily last year for me. Manchester City should have been closer and Chelsea should probably have been closer. Mourinho will get Chelsea closer so Man United will have to up their game and to do that, they have to hang on to Wayne Rooney.”
Arsenal began their campaign by crashing to a 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa and while McGrath expects the Gunners to again claim a Champions League berth, he has warned manager Arsene Wenger to sort out his defence.
“He never seems to be able to sort out his defence. He needs to correct that,” McGrath said.
“He has to buy defenders. The defence he has is — I hate to say it — useless. They’re always going to leak goals.”
Villa’s pace exposed Arsenal’s defensive flaws on Saturday and McGrath feels Per Mertesacker’s lack of pace is a major weakness.
“I hate criticising, especially German internationals, but I just think Mertesacker lacks that bit of pace and he can be exploited each time someone plays against him. He’s great on the ball but he is not a quick player.”
Arsenal spent much of the summer in what now looks like a doomed pursuit of Luis Suarez. McGrath acknowledges the Liverpool striker is a magnet for controversy but says his ability can’t be questioned.
“Suarez is a fantastic footballer but he does things that are kind of reckless and stupid on the field and I don’t think you can do that sort of thing. He’ll score you goals but he might miss 10 or 15 games a year. He’s going to cost you in both ways but he’s a fantastic footballer.”
One element of the modern game that frustrates McGrath is diving.
“These days you only have to touch someone on the toe and they start to roll over and I think it’s ruining the game because kids emulate what they see the players of today doing. Too many of them (players) are doing a triple roll and double somersault and it’s just annoying.”
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