With the uncertainty of Wayne Rooney's future still in question, Manchester United have targeted Udinese forward Luis Muriel as a possible replacement for Rooney in the foreseeable future.

United manager David Moyes has been a long-time admirer of Muriel and he is poised to try and push for a transfer for the player if he fails to hang on to England international Rooney. It's a bit of a gamble for Moyes and will undoubtedly be a huge test of his managerial abilities, but he is determined not to be caught short if Rooney eventually departs.

Muriel, 22, scored 11 goals last season for Udinese and was watched by United Liverpool and Barcelona scouts during the Europa League qualifying match against Siroki Brijeg last week when he bagged two goals.

It was previously reported that Moyes has given Rooney an ultimatum to either submit an official request to be sold or for him to commit to the cause. He's made it clear Rooney will not play for the club again unless he either submits a formal transfer request or commits himself totally to the cause. Moyes is now beginning to get tough on Rooney as the transfer saga continues to drag on, after admitting he has been under fire ever since arriving to United last month as the legendary manager Alex Ferguson's successor.

Moyes insisted he had no need to speak to the striker when he was questioned on the matter following a Tuesday friendly in Stockholm, but he will give Rooney a few more days to consider his position, then will sit down and talk to him once more - probably early next week - to urge the player to make his position clear to both club and fans.

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