Manchester United Have New Wayne Rooney in Waiting

Wigan Athletic manager Owen Coyle believes that on-loan midfielder Nick Powell shares many similarities with his Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney.

The 19-year-old was signed by United from Crewe Alexandra for £6m in the summer of 2012 and went on to score on his Premier League debut in the 4-0 win over Wigan.

Despite impressing for the Under-21s and appearing six times in his first season at Old Trafford, new United manager David Moyes decided to allow the powerful midfielder to spend this season on-loan at Wigan.

Powell has already scored four goals in 11 appearances and has excelled while playing in the Europa League where he has scored three goals in just three games against some strong opposition.

The England Under-21 international has also shown the ability to play in a variety of positions under Coyle, being used in a central midfield role whilst also producing some stand-out displays when used as a lone striker.

In the early stages of his career he was compared with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, but it seems Coyle believes his style more resembles Rooney who has shown an ability to play in a variety of roles at Manchester United.

"Nick is a natural footballer and is very much like a Wayne Rooney," said Coyle, as quoted in the Daily Express.

"I know United have a position where they think Wayne is best but in my eyes he can play anywhere such is his football intelligence on the pitch. Nick Powell is like that."

Rooney has been in sensational form this season, not only scoring important goals but often proving the vital link between midfield and attack.

In fact Moyes has been somewhat criticised for failing to sign a creative midfielder in the summer transfer window but it seems Coyle is confident that Powell could one day fill that role.