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Rumours about Rooney’s future at Man Utd

Summary

Is Wayne Rooney, one of the world's best paid footballers, about to leave Manchester United? Reports in the British press suggest the England striker has requested a move after arguing with his manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Reporter:

Alex Capstick

Report

Wayne Rooney is a supremely gifted footballer. He was voted the Premier League's player of the year. His goal-scoring flair for Manchester United was universally admired, but his form dramatically dipped when playing for England at the World Cup. There has been no marked improvement this season. For the first time in his career, people have started to question his proficiency.

Then, last month, allegations surfaced about his private life. And more recently he dared to contradict in public his club manager Sir Alex Ferguson, when he told reporters he had not been struggling with an ankle injury.

Reports of a rift between the pair were fuelled further when Wayne Rooney was demoted to the substitutes' bench for Saturday's game against West Brom. As David Beckham once discovered, when a player falls out with Sir Alex Ferguson, there is usually only one winner. Manchester United have described the rumours of Wayne Rooney's imminent departure as nonsense.

But negotiations on a new contract have stalled. Potential suitors will have been alerted. Real Madrid, the big Italian clubs and, heaven forbid if you're a Manchester United fan, Manchester City, have all been mentioned. Over the past week Sir Alex Ferguson has kept his counsel on the issue. Perhaps he is still trying to work out what to do with Wayne Rooney.

Alex Capstick, BBC News, London