Rooney wants to leave United, Fergie confirms

Posted Monday, May 13, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Wayne Rooney has asked for a transfer from Manchester United, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.

The England international was left out of Sunday's squad for the 2-1 win over Swansea at Old Trafford, because Ferguson - who retires from management at the end of the season - said the striker "was not keen to play because he has asked for a transfer".

Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, has been linked with Paris St Germain and rivals Manchester City in the past.

The 27-year-old previously asked to leave the club before signing a five-year deal in 2010.

Rooney has often had to play second fiddle to Robin van Persie this season and has not scored for the club since the middle of March.

He was not even among the substitutes at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"I don't think Wayne was keen to play, simply because he has asked for a transfer," Ferguson told Sky Sports 1.

"I think he wants to think it through in his mind - I think that's a good idea. We're not going to let him go.

"I think maybe he is a bit frustrated. He has been taken off once or twice in the past couple of weeks."

It will be down to Moyes, who sold Rooney to United in 2004, to sort the situation out, which does not promise to be easy.

Boos from Red Devils supporters when the 27-year-old stepped forward to collect his fifth championship-winning medal indicated the rank and file support are not too impressed with the conduct of a player who very publicly asked for a move in 2010.

However, former United defender Gary Neville, working on Sunday as a television pundit but whom, later this month, will become
Rooney's coach for England friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil, said the striker needed to sort himself out.

"Wayne is an emotional lad and you can see in the last couple of months he hasn't quite been himself," said Neville.

"Wayne Rooney wears his heart on his sleeve. He fights every refereeing decision. But he has been a bit vacant on the pitch. You can see something is wrong.

"But there is nowhere to go from here. I have seen players join Real Madrid and other great clubs in Europe. But they always want to come back.

"If you play for this club for 20 years it is not a bed of roses. You struggle mentally at times. He will be going through a difficult moment.

"But in a couple of weeks he will be coming away with England. Then he needs to have the summer off and hopefully get his head back to being a Manchester United player."

Neville feels Rooney's family, and agent Paul Stretford, have a crucial role to play over the next few weeks.

"This is a good kid," said Neville.

"He needs to surround himself with his family and his players. The ones who have been here for a long time will bring him round.

"He is not someone who will make rash decisions but he needs people around him to give him good advice. He has an agent and friends.

They need to be giving him the right advice.

"This is the only club he should be playing at."