Erling Haaland Missing as Wayne Rooney Names His 3 Premier League Standouts

As the Premier League prepares to resume, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney shared his top three players of the season so far, making some surprising selections that have stirred conversation among fans.

In an interview with Amazon Prime Sport, Rooney bypassed many of the league's established superstars, instead highlighting players who have made a significant impact for their respective clubs.

His first choice was Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, who has impressed with six goals and three assists in his 11 league appearances. "I think he's been great for Bournemouth, carrying on his form from last season," Rooney explained.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Next, Rooney named Manchester United forward Bryan Mbeumo. "I'd also think I'd put Bryan Mbeumo in there," he stated. "I think he's been really good for Man United, even after a difficult start for the club. I think he's been really good."

For his third pick, Rooney selected Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres. "Third one, I'd probably go Viktor Gyökeres," Rooney said. "Arsenal have been crying out for a No 9 for a few years now, and he's come in, and his determination, and his work rate, and his hold-up play [have been good]. Obviously, he's scored a few goals as well."

The most notable omission from Rooney's list was Manchester City's Erling Haaland, who leads the league's goalscoring charts with an impressive 14 goals. The Norwegian striker also recently helped his national team secure a historic World Cup qualification.

Fans on social media were quick to critique Rooney's choices, pointing not only to Haaland's absence but also the exclusion of standout midfielders like Chelsea's Moises Caicedo and Arsenal's Declan Rice. Some even linked his unconventional picks to his recent managerial struggles, including his short-lived tenure at Birmingham City.

"It’s no great shock he’s not cracked it as a coach with this take," one user commented, while another added, "I like Rooney but this is clearly why he constantly fails as a manager."

Despite the criticism, Rooney has been earning praise for his transition into punditry. Liverpool legend Graeme Souness recently commended his analytical style.

"I like listening to Wayne Rooney as a pundit because he talks common sense," Souness told Daily Mail Sport. "I love Wayne Rooney as a player, and I like to listen to him—he has got authority so I can listen to him."