Rooney Urged to Quit Manchester United in January - Report

Wayne Rooney has been advised to quit Manchester United by Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is keen to link up with the England international.

There was plenty of speculation over the course of the summer that Rooney would leave Old Trafford after Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that the striker had handed in a transfer request at the end of last season.

The 27-year-old was linked with a switch to PSG but in the end remained at Manchester United and has started the season in excellent form. Even though Rooney seems happy, Ibrahimovich has called for the forward to make the move to Paris at the earliest opportunity.

"When there was talk of Rooney joining us in Paris it was a prospect that excited me," said Ibrahimovic, quoted in the Metro.

"I think he made it clear in the summer that he wanted a fresh challenge - and things have not been going so well for Manchester United this season.

"If he still wants to move next summer, or in January, I would urge him to come and play with me in Paris. The only direction this club is going is up."

Ibrahimovic has formed a lethal partnership with Edinson Cavani at PSG this season but it seems he believes he could improve even further if he was supported by the technically gifted Rooney.

"If he did join he would have to get used to the fact that Zlatan scores even better goals than him," added Ibrahimovic.

"But I don't just want to play with great players, I want to play with technically great players - and that is what he is.

"You can work on the technical side but it is not something you can be taught. You have it or you don't and Rooney does."

PSG have shown their willingness to sign the best players in recent seasons by consistently spending huge sums on the likes of Javier Pastore, Lucas Moura, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Cavani and Ibrahimovich.

Manchester United would certainly not want to lose Rooney but a massive offer could well persuade David Moyes to consider an offer for a player who has twice stated his intention to leave the club.