Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins says Wayne Rooney will be the big winner from Manchester United's sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Wilkins, a former United star, said: "If you were to ask who would you rather have, Rooney or Ronaldo, as an ex-footballer I'd rather have Wayne Rooney because he's more of a team player.

"As football evolves, the team ethic is more important than the individual.

"Rooney has amazing ability but he's a team player and he's there week in, week out. He's a wonderful footballer."

Wilkins also expects the exit of Ronaldo to have a galvanising effect on his former team-mates.

He added: "It might bond the players a bit more.

"A lot of them relied on Cristiano to produce the goods - now it's up to the other players to pull their weight as well.

"I'm sure they will, they've got immense quality in that squad and Sir Alex will add to it."