Rooney's future at Manchester United was cast
into fresh doubt on Sunday when the England
striker was dropped for Alex Ferguson's farewell
appearance at Old Trafford against Swansea.
Outgoing Manchester United manager Alex
Ferguson confirmed on Sunday that striker
Wayne Rooney has asked to leave the club for
the second time in three years.
Ferguson, who retires at the end of the season,
dropped Rooney for the 2-1 win over Swansea
City in his final home game, and said the
England international had not been in the right
frame of mind to play.
"I don't think Wayne was keen to play because
he's asked for a transfer and he wants to think it
through in his mind," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
"We're not going to let him go."
Rooney is reported to have told United manager
Ferguson two weeks ago that he wanted leave
after losing patience with his slightly diminished
role in the second half of the season.
Ferguson is said to have rejected the request
and United have since stated they have no
intention of selling the England international,
who has been played out of position in midfield
at times this term and was dropped for a crucial
Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
But it was the second time Rooney had
expressed his desire to leave United after he
previously questioned the club's ambitions back
in 2010.
Bayern Munich and Chelsea are both said to be
interesting in signing Rooney, who has also had
a strained relationship with David Moyes, who
will succeed Ferguson and gave the forward his
debut during their time at Everton.
And it may not have been a coincidence that
Ferguson, who announced in midweek that he
will retire at the end of the season after 26-and-
a-half years in charge, opted not to include
Rooney in his farewell party.
Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez were
selected in attack ahead of Rooney, who didn't
even make the substitutes' bench.
As Ferguson emerged to a guard of honour from
both teams before kick-off, Rooney was pictured
watching from an executive box with his wife
Coleen and their son Kai.
No comments:
Post a Comment