Everton star Wayne Rooney could return to Manchester United after his retirement

The England and United record goalscorer will be handed the role once he hangs up his boots.

Rooney struck the deal when he signed his last contract extension with United in 2014.

The mega-deal was supposed to keep him at Old Trafford until 2019, but Rooney joined Everton last week on a free transfer after losing his starting place in Jose Mourinho’s side.

His decision to join the Toffees means the Red Devils are no longer contracted to give him the ambassadorial position.

But Starsport understands United bosses will still give him the £100,000-a-year role as reward for his massive contribution during his time there.

Rooney, 31, joined United from the Toffees in 2004 and went on to become their greatest goalscorer of all time.

He plundered 253 goals in 559 appearances as well as helping them land five Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, three League Cups and one FA Cup.

Despite agreeing to let him join Ronald Koeman’s outfit, Manchester United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward remains a huge admirer of Rooney’s and wants to recognise what he has done for the club.

It remains to be seen when Rooney retires, but when he does he will accept the role to join the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson and Nemanja Vidic as club ambassadors.

The role involves travelling the world promoting the United brand and helping drive the club’s commercial arm.

Meanwhile, Paul Pogba has been earmarked as the next permanent captain of United.

Mourinho has made Michael Carrick captain this season, but the veteran midfielder is approaching the twilight of his career and could retire next summer.

Record signing Pogba has impressed club bosses since joining them from Juventus last summer in a £90m deal and Mourinho has marked him down as the future leader of the team.

The Red Devils are confident of signing Ivan Perisic in a £47m deal in the next 48 hours.

United bosses have been chasing the Inter Milan winger since the end of the season but hit a brick wall in their negotiations, with the Italian outfit holding out for £50m.

United have had two previous offers rejected out of hand, but Mourinho has refused to give up on the Croatia international.

But United have now agreed to increase their bid in an attempt to thrash out a deal before Inter go to China on their pre-season tour.

Perisic has left Inter’s training camp in Riscone di Brunico and returned to Croatia to sort out his personal affairs.

He claimed to have a toothache and asked for permission to go see his dentist, but Perisic has been sulking in a bid to secure his dream move to the Premier League and was desperate to get out of the base.

Inter boss Luciano Spalletti has been desperate to keep him with the Serie A giants and ordered Perisic to join up with the rest of his squad for the pre-season training camp.

But he held showdown talks with him earlier this week, when Perisic made it clear his heart was set on joining United.

Spalletti is not prepared to keep such an unhappy player and has instructed Inter bosses to sign Lazio’s Senegal international Keita Balde as Perisic’s replacement.