Wayne Rooney opens up on Greenwood, Dele Alli and more in fascinating new interview

Wayne Rooney has told Mason Greenwood and Harry Maguire they should leave Manchester United this summer, with both player's futures under clouds for different reasons.

It's another summer of change at Old Trafford with the usual comings and goings in the transfer window, but also the need of a new captain.

That's after Harry Maguire was stripped of the role last week, with reports claiming that the defender's teammates didn't want him to be the leader.

There's some claim that the centre back could now leave the club and Rooney believes that's what he must do: "To have the armband taken off you, how does he move forward with the club," the club's all time top goalscorer told the Athletic in an all encompassing interview.

"That shows the manager really doesn’t believe in him. It leaves Harry in a position where he has to think on what he does moving forward... The best thing now is probably for him to move."

And the centre back isn't the only United player that the DC United manager thinks needs to leave Old Trafford to get his career back on track.

Greenwood hasn't played for the club for well over a year after the police investigation into claims of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Those charges were dropped earlier in the year and he hasn't returned to the club, despite training in his own time, as they continue an internal investigation to decide what to do next.

Rooney has told the forward he should leave, saying: "For Mason, it’s a bad position to be in because I’m sure he just wants to play football.

"But for the club, its image and ensuring they make the right decisions, it’s almost a catch 22. I think the best thing for Mason now is to get out of the club and go and develop somewhere else.

Maguire has been advised to leave United by Rooney. Image: Getty

"He needs to get back playing because it has been a long time. With everything that has happened and how long the internal investigation has taken, it’s probably got to a place now where Mason just needs to go and play and to try and get his career back on track."

United have reportedly been considering loaning out the striker this season with claims that they could use him as part of their attempt to sign Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund.

Rooney though believes Kane is the ideal signing rather than the Danish forward, joking that he was being held at Tottenham Hotspur against his will.

"It looks like he [Kane] is being held as a prisoner at Tottenham. It looks very difficult for him to get out of there."

Rooney believes Kane is the ideal man for United. Image: Getty

Speaking about the eye opening interview from Dele Alli recently, where he revealed his addiction to sleeping pills, Rooney said: "I have seen it first hand with players.

"Sleeping tablets are a big problem. Dele giving the interview he gave, maybe I’ll look guilty of judging him as a player and not understanding the full background and the story of where everything was.

“For young players now it can be a real tough place in terms of social media and the scrutiny that could come. You can make decisions and bad decisions, which can have a real impact on your life.

"And I’m sure there are a few more out there. The one thing I will say is that they’re in a society and a world now where help is there. So the more people who come out and do speak about their issues, the easier it will be for those people to try to get the help they need."