'I'm sure' - Wayne Rooney a Premier League manager in waiting insists ex-Manchester United team-mate

Put Wayne Rooney and Phil Bardsley's names together in a sentence and it conjures up images of boxing, but it's in the dug-out where the England legend can become a real heavyweight.

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

"It's really bright," said the 37-year-old 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 has no doubt the 37-year-old will be managing again in England, and the Premier League, in due course.

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"He is enjoying it in America and I am sure one day we will see him on the touchline in the Premier League because he is passionate, puts the work in and is a winner and that will never leave his system," said Bardsley, speaking to the Manchester Evening News. "In his documentary he said as long as he is alive then 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 again. He did a fantastic job at Derby.

"He is really passionate about his coaching and management. He is still young, he has plenty of time to get to the places he wants to get to, but someone like him wants to be there tomorrow. I think he had some