Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has said he would prefer to see Arsenal win the Premier League title this season rather than rivals Manchester City or Liverpool.
Rooney, who spent 13 years at Manchester United, acknowledged that his allegiance to the club shapes his stance, especially regarding Liverpool. While recognising City’s dominance under Pep Guardiola, he maintained that Arsenal would be his choice among the three contenders.
According to BBC Sport on Friday, Rooney stressed that despite his preference, the title race remains highly competitive, with crucial upcoming fixtures between the challengers likely to determine the eventual champions.
“I think a big factor will be if Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the Champions League.
“The emotions around the League Cup final, the Champions League games, if that is the case, and then the game at the Etihad. The emotion around those games and what that will bring, whoever comes out on top in those, I think, will win the league.
“I would prefer Arsenal to win it. I played for Manchester United for 13 years! For me, Liverpool are the ones I wouldn’t want to win it, and then it would be City. I think Arsenal will just win it,” he added.
The former United skipper also expressed hope that Guardiola remains at Manchester City beyond the current campaign, describing the Spaniard as a manager who has raised the bar for others in the English top flight.
Guardiola, 55, has managed City since 2016, guiding them to six Premier League titles, with a seventh still possible this season. However, doubts persist about his future, with a decision expected toward or after the campaign’s conclusion.
“Some players will want him to leave, some will want him to stay; it depends whether you are in the team or not, and that is the same for any manager,” he said.
Despite ongoing speculation, Rooney made it clear he hopes Guardiola continues in England.
“I hope he stays because he is brilliant for the Premier League, and you want the best managers in the Premier League. He has set a benchmark over the past 10 years for everyone else.”
Attention has already shifted to possible replacements should Guardiola step down. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been linked with a return to City, where he previously served on Guardiola’s coaching staff.
However, Rooney believes a former club stalwart would be a more suitable option, naming current Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany as his preferred candidate.
“If Pep does go, they have to go and get Vincent Kompany,” Rooney said. “He knows the club; he has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.”
Rooney further suggested that Guardiola could play a role in selecting his successor, noting that the Spaniard would want to ensure the club remains well-positioned if he opts to depart after a decade of success at the Etihad.
