Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Wayne Rooney and James Wilson Rumours

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is reportedly considering a move to China as his next destination when he leaves the club.

According to the Daily Mail's Neil Ashton, "the prospect of a new challenge has caught his attention, with the possibility emerging of a lucrative move to China at the tail end of his career."

The 30-year-old still has three-and-a-half years left on his current contract with the Red Devils, but after a significant downturn in form this season speculation regarding his future and his ability to compete at the same level he once did for United are understandable.

The likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Demba Ba and Robinho are among the increasing number of former Premier League stars to head to China in recent years so there is precedent for such a move.

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Rooney has scored just seven goals for United this term, with three of those coming against Club Brugge in Champions League qualification and one coming in the Capital One Cup against Ipswich Town.

After the 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League, football writer Liam Canning noted how much more effective United can be without the striker in the side:

Indeed, both his goalscoring touch and ability to create for others has well and truly deserted him in this campaign.

Where the Rooney of old was aggressive, full of fire and willing to terrorise defenders with pace and direct running, the current Rooney is calmer but ponderous and arguably burnt out.

Of course as a prolific goalscorer throughout his career and at just 30 there's plenty of time for Rooney to rediscover his form and value at United once again, but a move away in the coming years could well be on the cards.

Lucrative though it may be, China seems an unlikely destination for the Liverpudlian, but don't be surprised if he follows in the footsteps of former England team-mates Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham in heading to Major League Soccer in the United States.

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Despite United's current struggles up front, Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton is confident the Seagulls will not be forced to return on-loan striker James Wilson before the end of the season.

Per Liam Corless of the Mirror, he said: "The only contact is that we keep them [United] informed of his game, his physical stats and clips. They are all sent through to Manchester United so they are aware of what he's done on a daily basis. We can only take it as it is and at this moment it's a loan through to the end of the season."

The youngster has enjoyed a positive start to life on the south coast, per Squawka Football, and football writer Adam Crafton believes he is showing up United boss Louis van Gaal:

Canning has no qualms with Wilson getting more experience on loan, but he believes it puts United in a difficult position up front by limiting their already narrow options:

The move is appearing to be beneficial for Wilson himself, though, with Goal's Kris Voakes noting it's easier for him to thrive at Brighton than it would be at Old Trafford:

The 20-year-old had played just eight minutes of Premier League football this season despite United's struggles up top so a loan switch is definitely the right call and the experience he gains could be invaluable.

For the Red Devils, unless they'd give him plenty of opportunities, they'd be much better served recruiting another striker in January than bringing Wilson back to sit on the bench.