Former Manchester United captain, Wayne Rooney has revealed he would prefer to see Arsenal crowned Premier League champions ahead of rivals Manchester City and Liverpool this season.

 

 

 

Rooney, who spent 13 years at Manchester United, admitted that his allegiance to the Old Trafford club heavily shapes his view particularly regarding Liverpool.

 

 

 

While acknowledging City’s dominance under manager Pep Guardiola, Rooney said he would still rather see Arsenal lift the trophy if it comes down to the current title contenders.

 

 

 

Speaking to BBC Sport, he noted that the campaign remains finely balanced and suggested that decisive encounters between the top teams possibly in both domestic and European competitions could determine the outcome.

 

 

 

“I think a big factor will be if Manchester City and Arsenal meet in the Champions League,” Rooney said. “The emotions around the League Cup final, the Champions League games, and then the game at the Etihad—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.”

 

 

Rooney also expressed hope that Guardiola remains at Manchester City beyond the current season, praising the Spaniard for raising standards in the Premier League.

 

 

 

Guardiola, who has managed City since 2016, has guided the club to six league titles, with another still within reach this term. However, uncertainty surrounds his long-term future, with a decision expected at or after the season’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,” Rooney said.

 

 

 

Despite the speculation, Rooney made it clear he would like Guardiola to continue in England.

 

 

 

“I hope he stays because he is brilliant for the Premier League. You want the best managers in the league. He has set a benchmark over the past 10 years for everyone else.”

 

 

If Guardiola were to depart, Rooney suggested that a familiar face should take over. He named current Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany as his preferred successor.

 

 

 

“If Pep does go, they have to get Vincent Kompany,” Rooney said. “He knows the club and has been successful with Bayern in a similar way. It looks like he has learned from Pep.”

 

Rooney added that Guardiola could play a role in shaping his successor, ensuring the club remains well-positioned should he decide to step aside after nearly a decade at the Etihad.