Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson believes that Manchester United manager David Moyes should play Wayne Rooney against Chelsea this evening, despite the uncertainty over his future.

The England international, who is believed to be keen on leaving Old Trafford, has been the subject of two rejected bids by the Blues during the summer transfer window.

While it has been suggested that Rooney should be left out due to Chelsea's plans to launch a third bid for the striker after the match, Lawrenson believes that he should play a part in the fixture.

"Does Moyes play Rooney? I would, you need your best players regardless of his current situation and the spotlight would be on the England striker to put in a performance," Lawrenson writes in The Mirror.

"I think Wayne thrives on that, he loves it. All top players love that and they want to play in the big games and have everyone look at them. It also puts him under pressure to come and play and show how good he is, and in his case, possibly show both teams."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has suggested that United manager David Moyes is to blame for Rooney's desire to leave the club.