Wayne Rooney has urged Manchester United to perform a transfer U-turn and sign Arsenal midfielder Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is reportedly available for a fee of £45m, along with three other players before the summer window closes.
Manchester United and Chelsea were reportedly offered the chance to sign the 19-year-old Arsenal academy graduate. Lewis-Skelly struggled for game-time for much of last season but broke into Mikel Arteta's team towards the end of the campaign, playing a crucial role as Arsenal clinched the Premier League title and reached the Champions League final.
Despite those performances, Arsenal are reportedly open to selling Lewis-Skelly this summer after bolstering Arteta's midfield options with the £75m signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United. As a result, intermediaries approached Manchester United and Chelsea to determine their interest in signing the England international. Neither club were receptive to the offer, even though Arsenal reportedly only wanted a relatively modest fee of £45m.
Rooney's No-Brainer Assessment
Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney said: 'I don't think you can rely on Luke Shaw to be consistent for the whole season and that leads me to Myles Lewis-Skelly. We're hearing that he could be available for not that much money, so I think that's an absolute no-brainer.'
He added: 'If you can get a player in who can play left-back and centre-midfield, that's an absolute no-brainer. He's young and he's got a massive future ahead of him.'
Rooney also highlighted other areas needing reinforcement: 'I would like to see another centre back, another central midfielder and another centre forward so there's still a lot of work to be done. But it's really important that the players they bring in, the club do it right.'
United's Left-Back Search
Michael Carrick has expressed interest in signing a new left-back this summer to provide cover for Luke Shaw ahead of United's return to the Champions League. Lewis Hall has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, but Newcastle United have told their Premier League rivals that he is not for sale. Lewis-Skelly could therefore be an appealing option for Carrick, especially as he is just as comfortable in midfield, an area United have been looking to strengthen all summer.
Rooney also commented on Arsenal's potential motivation to sell: 'Arsenal have spent a lot over the last couple of years so selling Lewis-Skelly makes some sense as it would be pure profit. I don't think it would be a great look but I can see why they might sell him.'
Context and Upcoming Fixtures
Lewis-Skelly once again impressed in Arsenal's midfield as the Gunners beat Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday. Arteta's side begin their Premier League title defence against Coventry City on Friday night, while Manchester United face another newly-promoted side, Hull City, the following day.
With the transfer window set to close, Rooney's comments add pressure on United's hierarchy to act. The club's need for a left-back and central midfield reinforcement is clear, and Lewis-Skelly's availability at £45m presents a potential opportunity. Whether United will reverse their initial stance remains to be seen, but the call from a club legend is unmistakable.
