Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney faces exit after rejecting new contract

Brassed off: Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has not looked his usual self recently Photo: ACTION IMAGES
The 24 year-old, last season’s double Footballer of the Year, informed United last week of his intention not to extend his £90,000-a-week deal which is due to expire in June 2012.
Although United dismissed as “nonsense” reports on Sunday that the ''irretrievable breakdown’’ of Rooney’s relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson would signal his departure from Old Trafford, it is understood that such an eventuality is now on the agenda and Ferguson, chief executive David Gill and the Glazer family, United’s owners, have accepted that reality.

The off-field scandal which enveloped Rooney earlier this season, with damaging allegations of liaisons with prostitutes, has proven to have delivered a terminal blow to his relationship with Ferguson, however.
Rooney’s form has evaporated since the revelations and Ferguson, claiming that he had an ankle injury, has dropped the player from the United first team, much to Rooney’s annoyance.
And with the forward publicly defying Ferguson last week by insisting he had not been injured at all this season, the split between the two men became evident before Rooney was dropped to the bench for Saturday’s 2-2 home draw against West Bromwich Albion.
Now United must face up to the prospect of selling Rooney before his value dwindles by entering the final year of his contract.
Although Rooney’s move could be viewed as a bold negotiating tactic, the broken state of his relationship with Ferguson suggests that the endgame has already begun and that the former Everton youngster will follow the likes of David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane out of Old Trafford after clashing with the Scot.
The collapse of Rooney’s relationship with Ferguson has been swift. United chief executive David Gill had claimed during the club’s pre-season tour of North America in July that talks over a new deal for Rooney were due to commence in August.
Gill said at the time: “The current intention is to meet with Wayne and his advisers when we’re back from tour and he’s back from holiday with a view to sorting out a new deal for him.
“It’s clear from what he has said and what the club have said that both parties are very keen to sort things out and secure his long-term future at United.
“Given his desires and what he means to the club we’re very confident that can be achieved.”
United’s confidence has since been eroded by Rooney’s reaction to Ferguson’s handling of him in the wake of the prostitute allegations scandal.
Ferguson’s private punishment of Rooney, by dropping him from the first team, was combined with public support and a refusal to condemn the player.
But Rooney’s public insistence that he should have been allowed to play through his problems has angered Ferguson and further driven the two apart.
Rumours within Manchester almost two months ago suggested that the player had been turned by the prospect of a £200,000-a-week deal at Manchester City.
At the time, both clubs vehemently denied any prospect of Rooney following Carlos Tévez across the Mancunian divide and such a move is understood to be an outside prospect.
With the prostitute saga continuing to hover over Rooney, it is believed that the player and his wife, Coleen, are now open to the possibility of a move away from England, opening the door to a transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona.
Both clubs would happily meet United’s £50 million-plus valuation, but with almost three months to the opening of the January transfer window, there remains a glimmer of hope for United supporters that time will allow the wounds between player and club to heal.
Ferguson could choose to banish Rooney from the first team until January, but such a move would damage the player’s market value and do little to help team spirit at United.
Should he be restored to the first team, the situation could ease, but it appears as though such an outcome is now highly unlikely.
And while the funds generated by the sale of Rooney would be welcomed by a club servicing a debt in excess of £720 million, the Glazers are also acutely aware of the necessity to maintain United as a force within the game and, as such, any money raised would likely be handed straight back to Ferguson for a replacement.
The last star striker to endure a breakdown in his relationship with Ferguson was Van Nistelrooy and, despite 150 goals in 219 appearances, he was ruthlessly dispatched to Real Madrid against the wishes of the supporters.
Back then, Ferguson had the blossoming talents of Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo in place to claim Van Nistelrooy’s mantle.
Four years on, it is a different story, which is why selling Rooney is an altogether bigger gamble for United to take.
Who are the contenders to sign football’s red-hot property?
Real Madrid
Spain is the likeliest destination and Rooney would relish being reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabéu. Jose Mourinho has spoken of his admiration of the United forward and United have happily traded with Real in the past. Real have plenty of players who could be part of the deal.
Prospects: 4/5
Barcelona
Rooney has talked of his respect for Lionel Messi. They would be a devast-ating double act. Don’t underestimate the Nike factor — Rooney is a key Nike player and Barca are a Nike-sponsored superpower. Player exchange would appeal to United who would require a stellar name in Rooney’s place.
Prospects: 4/5
Manchester City
No club can match the spending power of Sheikh Mansour, but City must address their spending and wage structure to meet Uefa regulations. Adding Rooney’s wages would lead to half a squad knocking on Roberto Mancini’s door. Rooney in light blue would be staggering.
Prospects: 3/5
Chelsea
The outsiders. Roman Abramovich has withdrawn from the top end of the transfer market and United’s asking price could be prohibitive. With Rooney’s wife, Coleen, pursuing a TV career, London would be a positive and she might just have a big say in where the Rooneys go next.
Prospects: 2/5
Merseyside
Forget the red half of Merseyside, despite the new ownership at Anfield. That move will never happen. Everton lack the financial muscle to compete, but there is an appetite on both sides for Rooney to end his career back where it all started. Don’t rule out an homecoming in five or six years.
Prospects: 0/5