Wayne
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.
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