Number one prospect Wayne Rooney will look to manage Manchester United

Put the names of Wayne Rooney and Phil Bardsley together in a sentence and it will conjure images of boxing, but it's on the bench that the England legend can become a true heavyweight.

That's the belief of Bardsley, whose training session with great United ended with Rooney briefly knocked out, a viral video and a famous celebration of the former striker. The two are good friends, have been teammates at Old Trafford and as we sit at Stockport County's training ground discussing Rooney's future as manager, Bardsley is in no doubt.

It's really brilliant, the 37-year-old said of Rooney's management prospects. Currently in charge of MLS side DC United, he spent nearly two years leading Derby County in the championship. It ended in relegation but Rooney left with credit, such was the perilous state of the club during his tenure. Bardsley is in no doubt that the 37-year-old will return to managing England and the Premier League in due course.

He's enjoying it in America and I'm sure we'll see him on the touchline in the Premier League one day because he's passionate, he works hard and he's a winner and that will never leave his system, Bardsley said. In his documentary he said that as long as he is alive, football will always be a part of him. He has been a great ambassador for the game and is an absolute legend. It would be great to see him back in England and challenge himself, he again he did a fantastic job in the Derby.

What fate has Bardley ruled for United?

Bardsley himself is pondering what comes next. He joined Stockport County earlier this season on a contract until the end of the season, but injuries have limited him to just three appearances so far. The defender says he's not sure what the next step is and if his playing career will be extended, but at the moment he has no plans to follow his teammate Rooney into management.