Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has claimed that only a superstar could replace Wayne Rooney.

The England striker has been linked with Chelsea throughout the summer, and is reportedly ready to force through a move with a transfer request.

Neville says that United can not afford to sell him to Chelsea unless they replace him with a genuine superstar.

"Manchester United can not sell Wayne Rooney to Chelsea football club, unless they bring in a major, major signing," Neville told Sky Sports News.

"You've got here absolute gold in Wayne Rooney. You're talking about someone who has proven over six, seven, eight years, to deliver season in, season out.

"Chelsea have made bids for him but United can't sell him to Chelsea, unless go and sign [the likes of Gareth] Bale or [Cristiano] Ronaldo and you think 'okay we can potentially sacrifice somebody', but the importance of Wayne Rooney at Manchester United is absolutely vital."

Rooney was named in Roy Hodgson's England squad this afternoon.