Man Utd Transfer News: Wayne Rooney Asks For Old Trafford Exit
BBC. However, the Premier League champions have stated that the England international is not for sale. The 27-year old reportedly told Sir Alex Ferguson of his wish to leave two weeks ago, explaining he felt the time was right to move on after nine years with the club. But the news of Rooney's apparent will to quit only emerged on the day Ferguson announced he would be retiring as manager after more than 26 years at Old Trafford. It is understood that the forward has so far stopped short from handing in a written transfer request, and that he has only verbally asked to leave. There has been widespread speculation that Rooney could leave the club this season ever since he was omitted from the starting line-up to face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 earlier this season. He has played second fiddle to Robin van Persie for much of the campaign and has at times been utilized as a midfielder - a position he is reportedly unhappy about. In 2010 he handed in a transfer request to quit the club only to sign a new five-year deal 48 hours later. He would later state that staying at the club was the best decision of his career. If he does stay at Old Trafford, he is likely to be reunited with former manager David Moyes, who is tipped to replace Sir Alex later today. But the pair have at times endured a fractured relationship and in 2008, Moyes accepted substantial libel damages over claims made in Rooney's book about their relationship at Everton.