Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has had his say on who Ruben Amorim needs to sign to bolster his squad this summer and avoid another catastrophic season of record lows
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David de Gea pictured before facing Sevilla in 2023.
Wayne Rooney wants Manchester United to re-sign David de Gea(Image: 2023 Getty Images)
Wayne Rooney has named the three players Manchester United must sign this summer, including former goalkeeper David de Gea.
Thirteen-time Premier League champions United have a long way to go to reach the same heights Rooney experienced during his 13-year stint at Old Trafford. Under Ruben Amorim, who was appointed head coach in November after Erik ten Hag’s sacking, the Red Devils have suffered their worst season in the league since its formation in 1992.
They are down in 16th place on a record low of 39 points after a horrendous campaign domestically, which has seen them lose 18 league matches. Amorim since his appointment has claimed fewer points per-game (0.92) than Paul Jewell’s infamous Derby County side of 2007/08 (0.94).
And yet, the Red Devils could be playing Champions League football next season if they win their upcoming Europa League final clash against Tottenham. The Old Trafford hierarchy will undoubtedly need to bolster their squad with new additions to avoid embarrassment against the top teams in Europe in 2025/26.
Club legend and all-time United leading goal-scorer Rooney believes three signings can turn around their fortunes next season, naming his former team-mate and goalkeeper De Gea, striker Victor Osimhen and defender Marc Guehi as his preferred picks.
The ex-England striker told Amazon Prime Video Sport: “I’d probably sign David de Gea back. I think Manchester United have missed him and I think he could still do a very good job.
“The second one, I would sign Osimhen. He’s a number nine, I think he’s a really good striker and possibly available.
Victor Osimhen (45) of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring a goal during the Ziraat Turkish Cup final match between Trabzonspor and Galatasaray at Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Stadium in Gaziantep, Turkiye, on May 14, 2025.
Victor Osimhen is considered one of the most in-form strikers in the world
“And the third one, it would be difficult but I’d sign Guehi from Crystal Palace. As a centre-back, I think he would have a really good impact on the club.”
De Gea spent 12 seasons with United, where he won the Premier League once and United’s Player of the Season award on four occasions. The 34-year-old was released by the Red Devils in July 2023 and waited almost a year to find a new club before signing for Fiorentina at the beginning of this season.
The Spaniard has been outstanding for the Serie A side, helping them secure a European spot while reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals. He is set to face United in their final pre-season fixture this summer in what will be an emotional game for the veteran.
His successor, Andre Onana, who was brought in for his better ball-playing ability, has caused a number of high-profile errors in-between the sticks since he was signed for £47.2million in 2023. He is widely regarded as a downgrade on De Gea.
Osimhen, meanwhile, is one of European football’s top forward talents, having recently helped Galatasaray to a Turkish Cup victory while on loan from Napoli. MEN Sport understands that United are targeting Ipswich Town's Liam Delap to be their main striker next season but the Red Devils have been linked with the clinical Nigerian in the past.
Rooney’s former team-mate Rio Ferdinand shares his opinion, having recently said: "Forget Delap’s ability, potential, whatever you want to say about him. His quality as a player, it’s not about that right now for Man United. I think they need experience in there.
"Someone who knows how to score and someone that these younger guys can learn off. Rasmus Hojlund needs help. He doesn’t need a competitor."
Osimhen, 26, scored 26 Serie A goals to end Napoli’s Scudetto long drought in 2022/23, finishing as the season’s top scorer. He has netted 35 in all competitions for Galatasaray this term and is expected to join a new club once his loan spell ends this summer.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Crystal Palace FC at The King Power Stadium
Marc Guehi is a hugely promising defender(Image: Getty Images)
His goal contributions are certainly required by Amorim, whose strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have mustered up just seven goals between them in the league this season.
Meanwhile, England star Guehi is considered one of the brightest central defenders in the Premier League. The 24-year-old is being pursued by a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.
That, alongside his age, Palace captaincy and standing as a fully-fledged England international, make him an expensive option. However, he would be a worthwhile long-term investment for United, whose injuries this season have left them short of quality options at the back.