Wayne Rooney mentions Jurgen Klopp while discussing Xabi Alonso to Man Utd

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has shared he would have loved to see Jurgen Klopp at Old Trafford before Liverpool, while predicting Xabi Alonso may wait for an Anfield opportunity

Wayne Rooney has spoken about Jurgen Klopp(Image: The Wayne Rooney Show/YouTube)

Wayne Rooney has confessed he would have "loved" to see Jurgen Klopp take charge at Manchester United before his switch to Liverpool, while rubbishing claims that Xabi Alonso could make the move to Anfield this summer.

Old Trafford has been a hive of activity this month, with United bosses frantically searching for Ruben Amorim's successor. The Portuguese coach was shown the door at the beginning of the year, despite displaying signs of progress following the woeful 15th-place finish last season. Darren Fletcher took temporary control for the fixtures against Burnley and Brighton before Michael Carrick was appointed interim manager earlier this week.

Carrick is anticipated to guide the club to the best possible Premier League finish this season, after which United will assess its options for the summer. As a result, numerous candidates have been linked with the permanent position.

While Oliver Glasner and Gareth Southgate have surfaced as leading contenders to take the helm in the coming months, Klopp has also been floated as an outside bet - currently offered at 100/1 by some bookmakers.

Given his profound ties to Liverpool, where he steered United's bitter rivals to both a Premier League and Champions League triumph, the possibility of the German becoming the next manager at the Theatre of Dreams remains extremely unlikely.

Yet Rooney has now admitted he would have welcomed Klopp at his former club before the German's nine-year spell at Liverpool commenced.

Klopp spent nine years with Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Speaking on a recent episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, the 40-year-old said: "I think before Liverpool, I would have loved Klopp.

"But I don't think you could bring Klopp in or Alonso, for me. Alonso did incredible at Leverkusen, and I think you've more chance of him sitting and waiting and hoping that Arne Slot leaves."

This comes as speculation mounts linking Alonso with the United manager's position, following his exit from Real Madrid on Monday after just seven-and-a-half months at the helm. Rooney was also quick to clarify that Thomas Tuchel would be his top pick for the role at this point, citing his demonstrated success in the Premier League.

He added: "Tuchel was the one for me. I just think he knows the Premier League, he's won trophies, he's doing well at England. Time will tell."

Carrick faces a stern test on Saturday in his first match as Manchester United manager, taking on Pep Guardiola's side in the Manchester Derby.

Just 10 points separate the two teams currently, with United languishing in seventh while City occupies second spot, and the encounter could prove pivotal for both clubs for vastly different reasons.

City is eager to dethrone Arsenal from the summit of the league as Guardiola chases his seventh English top-flight title.

On the other hand, United is determined to clinch a spot in European soccer for the forthcoming season, with just a solitary point currently keeping them adrift of the top five. The excitement begins at Old Trafford on Saturday.