EPL TITLE RACE: ROONEY FAVORS ARSENAL OVER MAN CITY
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
Former Manchester United Striker, Wayne Rooney has revealed that he would prefer to see Arsenal claim the Premier League title this season over rivals Manchester City or Liverpool.
Rooney, who spent 13 years at Manchester United, admitted that his former club loyalties play a role in his preference, particularly regarding Liverpool.
Acknowledging Pep Guardiola’s dominance with Manchester City, he nonetheless stated that he would back Arsenal ahead of both clubs in the title race.
According to BBC Sport on Friday, Rooney also highlighted the competitiveness of the season, noting that crucial upcoming fixtures between the top contenders are likely to determine the ultimate league winner.
Rooney highlighted the significance of key fixtures in determining the Premier League winner, saying a potential meeting between Manchester City and Arsenal in the Champions League could play a major role.
“The emotions surrounding the League Cup final, the Champions League clashes, and then the Etihad game whoever comes out on top in those matches, I think, will win the league,” he said.
Reflecting on his club loyalties, Rooney added, “I would prefer Arsenal to win it. I played for Manchester United for 13 years! Liverpool are the team I wouldn’t want to win, followed by City. I just think Arsenal will edge it.”
The former Wayne Rooney also expressed hope that Pep Guardiola remains at Manchester City beyond this season, praising the Spaniard as a manager who has set the benchmark for others in the Premier League.
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Guardiola, 55, has been at the helm of City since 2016, guiding the club to six Premier League titles, with a seventh still possible this campaign. Despite his success, questions linger over his future, with a decision on whether he will continue expected around or after the end of the season.
Rooney commented on the ongoing speculation surrounding Pep Guardiola’s future, noting that opinions often vary depending on a player’s position in the squad. “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 the uncertainty, Rooney made it clear that he hopes Guardiola remains in English football. “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,” he added.
Meanwhile, attention is already shifting to potential successors should Guardiola depart. Former Enzo Maresca, who previously worked on Guardiola’s coaching staff at City, has been linked with a possible return to the club.
Rooney, however, suggested that a club legend would be the ideal candidate to take over, naming current Vincent Kompany of Bayern Munich as his top choice.
“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 also speculated that Guardiola could play a role in selecting his successor, noting that the Spaniard would likely want to ensure the club remains in a strong position should he step down after a decade of success at the Etihad.
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