The Next Number Ten.

Transfer speculation columns will soon go into overload following Sir Alex Ferguson's public address that Wayne Rooney's Manchester United days are somewhat numbered. Surely, if Rooney leaves Sir Alex Ferguson will be forced into making a purchase to replace the former Everton striker. Who would fit comfortably in the number ten shirt in Rooney's stead?

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

Sir Alex Ferguson was rumoured to be interested in the French international prior to his move from Lyon to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009. It has been well documented that Benzema's stay at the Bernabeu hasn't been the most prosperous. Will the departure of Wayne Rooney rekindle Ferguson's interest in the Frenchman and save Benzema from his torment in Spain?

Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
The Brazilian youngster has an impressive goalscoring record for his club AC Milan and his pace and dynamic approach would certainly work with United's current system. With a Rooney sale in the bank Ferguson may be able to prize away Milan's brightest prospect.

Neymar (Santos)

The 17-year-old Brazilian is dubbed as the the next big thing in Brazil and has already alerted the attentions of Chelsea and Barcelona. Fergie may look to the young Brazilian as prodigy to drive a Rooney-less United forward.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona)

Currently at loan at AC Milan, Swede Ibrahimovic is a raw footballing talent. Much like Berbatov in his casual approach, Ibra can pull a moment of magic out of the ether and has an impressive goalscoring return in Holland, Italy and Spain.

Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

Okay, so Torres may be a long shot, but the Spaniard yearns to play for a club with the potential to win honours at home and abroad. United can provide Torres with the platform to make up for lost time and win some silverwear and Torres can pay back United by filling the void. Maybe, just maybe a United/Torres marriage could work? I hear he also sells replica jerseys by the truck-load. Cha-ching!

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

He's lived the dream of playing in the white of Real Madrid now so maybe it's high-time Cristiano came back home....

....or do United already have a ready made replacement? Has Michael Owen got enough left in him to step up? Is Javier Hernandez a rare find, who will flourish given an extended run alongside Berbatov? Is Kiko Macheda experienced enough to stake a claim? Only time will tell.