WAYNE ROONEY is still being tipped for a sensational debut fight in boxing – and it is only “a matter of time” before he enters the ring.

The Manchester United legend – who boxed growing up on Merseyside – was linked with a shock boxing switch this year.

He held talks with Misfits Boxing, the home of celebrity-style crossover bouts headed up by KSI and his manager Mams Taylor.

Rooney admitted the talks were ongoing but instead decided to focus on football management – soon after taking the Plymouth job.

But music mogul and Misfits head honcho Taylor believes Rooney stepping into the ring is a case of “when” not “if”.

He told SunSport: “We know that there’s been conversations with Wayne Rooney.

“He’s expressed interest. I think that’s a matter of time and it’s on his timeline, not on mine.

“When he’s ready to do it, then then we’ll get there. There’s also been a couple of others who I’d really like.”

Rooney was once knocked out in a famous drunken sparring session by Phil Bardsley.

And their ex-United team-mate Danny Simpson became the first footballer to cross over to the Misfits ring.

Simpson – who won the Premier League title with Leicester in 2016 – drew over four rounds with YouTuber Danny Simpson.

And now the retired defender has inspired others to lace up the gloves with Taylor expecting more Prem players to fight.

He said: “I’m not going to give you any names because I’ll ruin the surprise. 

“But definitely there’s some really big names and some very credible footballers, ex-footballers who have expressed interest.

“So I think that’s gonna unfold in its own time.”

Not only are footballers speaking with Taylor to make the move to boxing but several other famous sports stars.

He said: “I’m not too pushy. I know how it goes with first-timers boxing. If you push too much, you scare them away, you know?

“So you want to make sure that they’re mentally in the right place and actually take that chance of getting in the ring.

“And if you haven’t been brought up as a fighter, it’s a very different experience and everyone who does it, though, after they do it like Danny Simpson says, ‘That was the best experience I’ve ever had in my life.’

“There’s nothing like it. So I expect more athletes from across the board for next year.”