Exclusive: Rooney is the RIGHT man to captain Man United, insists Dutch legend

Ronald de Boer has told talkSPORT Wayne Rooney is the RIGHT man to captain Manchester United.

There was much speculation earlier this summer about who would take the armband, with many people predicting Louis van Gaal would plump for his fellow Dutchman, Robin van Persie.

But Rooney has been given the nod, and that decision has been backed by De Boer.

The Dutch legend told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: “Rooney has been at the club longer and he’s English, which is important.

"I think, wherever possible, an English player should be captain of a Premier League team and I hear Rooney has looked impressive.”

Khedira Latest: Arsenal expert pours cold water on Emirates move

John Cross believes Arsenal are out of the running to sign Sami Khedira.

The German midfielder is apparently being frozen out at Real Madid, and that will lead to fresh speculation of a move to the Premier League.

The Gunners have been linked with the 27-year-old throughout the summer, but Cross, the Daily Mirror's Emirates expert, doens't see the move happening.

"It will be interesting to see if people go for him," he told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. "I don’t think it will be Arsenal. They’ve got so many midfielders there.

"And you’ve got to look at the package he wants. It’s a huge amount of money, beyond the transfer fee, for a player who has had a lot of problems with injuries and any buying club has got to have a look at that.

"I don’t think he’ll be heading for Arsenal unless it’s a dramatically good deal.

"What are you buying there? He’s basically a defensive midfield player. And do you bring a defensive midfielder in as your top earner? You top earner is normally a striker or a top playmaker. You won’t find too many clubs where the top earner is a defensive midfielder."

Manchester City youngster set for Spanish loan move

Manchester City youngster Bruno Zuculini is set to join Deportivo La Coruna on loan, according to Marca.

The midfielder only joined City this summer, arriving at the Premier League champions from Argentine side Racing.

He made his competitive debut for City in their 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last weekend, coming on as a second half substitute.

However, Manuel Pellegrini has reportedly decided the youngster should go out on loan this season to gain first-team experience.

Newly-promoted Deportivo appear to have won the race, ensuring that the Argentine will play in Spain’s top flight this season.

Fellow La Liga side, Valencia, were also interested but seem to have missed out.

Transfer Rumours and Paper Review - Friday, August 15

Here are the latest transfer tales from Friday's papers...

Liverpool are set to offer England winger Raheem Sterling, 19, four-times his current £30,000 a week to ward off interest from Real Madrid. (Daily Mirror)

Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Monaco are monitoring 32-year-old goalkeeper Petr Cech's situation at Chelsea if Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois, 22, takes over the number one slot at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mail)

Burnley have thwarted Brighton's hopes of signing Republic of Ireland left-back Stephen Ward, 28, from Wolves after the club and player had agreed a deal. (Brighton Argus)

Barcelona have dropped out of the race to sign Fiorentina's Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado, 26, leaving Manchester United and Chelsea to fight it out. (Metro)

Wigan have rejected a £4m bid from Premier League new boys Burnley for midfielder James McCarthur, 26. (Daily Mail)

Manager Roberto Martinez has denied that Chelsea have first refusal on Everton's star 20-year-olds Ross Barkley and John Stones. (Daily Star)

Chelsea have opened talks with Roma for £30m-rated defender Mehdi Benatia, 27. (Daily Express)

Classic transfer: Liverpool sign veteran in surprise move

When Gary McAllister arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2000, few could have foreseen the impact the veteran Scot would have on Liverpool football club and it’s emerging generation of talent.

Like some Kopites expressing bemusement at the potential arrival of veteran striker Samuel Eto'o, manager Gerard Houllier left many scratching their heads following the arrival of McAllister 14 years ago.

However, if Eto'o, who will be 34 soon, were to have a similar influence on Merseyside should he join, then the decision to bring him in could prove to be a masterstroke.

McAllister was once regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but by the time he pitched up at Liverpool he was 35 and his star was on the wane.

Out of contract, having enjoyed four years with Coventry, he was brought in to help nurture a teenage Steven Gerrard, while helping lessen the burden on midfield general Dietmar Hamann.

His importance to the side, though, was quickly noticed as he put in match-winning performances and scored crucial goals along the way.

Perhaps his biggest impact came towards the end of his debut season with the club, as McAllister's glorious injury-time free-kick sealed a 3-2 win against Everton at Goodison Park and in the same week he bagged the only goal of the UEFA Cup semi-final win against Barcelona.

Liverpool beat Alaves 5-4 in the final, which provided McAllister with arguably his finest moment of his short spell on Merseyside. He was directly involved in four of the goals, which included scoring from the penalty spot as the club went on to finish the season with a unique treble of the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup.