'No surprise' if Wayne Rooney is appointed next Manchester United manager, says Darren Bent

Darren Bent says he wouldn't be surprised if Wayne Rooney takes charge of Manchester United if he can carry out the great escape with Derby County.

The Rams have been left hamstrung by points deductions by the EFL following a number of factors and saw them collectively deducted 20 points.

Ralf Rangnick is in temporary charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season after taking over following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, without a permanent successor yet to be announced, the United players want Mauricio Pochettino to take the Old Trafford hot seat.

United's all-time leading goalscorer has led the stricken Derbyshire side to within four points of safety after being left in a seemingly perilous position, but Bent believes Rooney could take the reins at the Theatre of Dreams.

"When are you ready [to be Manchester United manager]? If he keeps Derby up this season, what an achievement," he told talkSPORT.

"If Wayne Rooney keeps Derby up from this state that's a phenomenal job, so he could walk into a top job.

"Its levels isn't it, usually, when you're aspiring to be a coach or a manager, you set targets like 'I want to manage the biggest clubs in the world... one day.'

"But sometimes, time isn't on your side, like [Frank] Lampard at Chelsea, it just falls onto your lap," he continued. "I guess if they're [Manchester United] looking around and Wayne keeps Derby up and then he's ready for the next challenge and they feel he's the right man for the job, he understands the club, he's been one of the best player's at that club in their history, he's their highest goalscorer.

"All the coaches have to start somewhere, some get the luxury of starting at the top, some obviously have to work their way up the pyramid.