England striker finally heading for Old Trafford exit

Posted Wednesday, July 17, 2013 by The Sun

THIS time it really does look like the end for Wayne Rooney at Manchester United.

The England ace is currently receiving treatment on his hamstring injury at Carrington — 10,500 miles away from his boss and team-mates in Sydney.

And after the developments of the last few days, the distance between the two parties looks every bit that wide.

Of course, this is not the first time Rooney has been close to the Old Trafford exit — as he first asked to leave back in October 2010.

Back then a shaken Alex Ferguson told a stunned Press conference of his shock and disappointment that his star striker wanted out.

Yet just three days later they had kissed and made up — and a new five-year deal worth around £250,000 a week had been agreed.

England striker finally heading for Old Trafford exit

This time though, it is different — and there will be no happy ending.

This has been stewing for over four months since hitman Rooney was sensationally axed by Ferguson for the Champions League showdown with Real Madrid in early March.

Over the first few months of last season, new signing Robin van Persie took over the mantle as United’s main striking threat thanks to an explosive start following his £22million switch from Arsenal.

Yet it still came as a shock when Fergie took the bold decision to start with Danny Welbeck and Nani against Real — meaning the former Everton man was dumped on the bench.

It did not work out how the Scot hoped as the Portuguese winger was controversially sent off and a late 17-minute substitute appearance from Rooney could not prevent United from a Euro exit.

In the days that followed, Fergie insisted Roo would remain at the club this summer — and even raised the possibility of a new contract.

Yet with just two years remaining on his current deal, that prospect has not been raised again.

It was clear the relationship between the pair was strained and matters came to a head once more as Ferguson himself bowed out in May.

Rooney played no part in the match against Swansea as an emotional Old Trafford said farewell to their beloved boss in his final home match in charge after 27 trophy-laden years.

Then as he conducted his post-match interviews came another bombshell: Rooney had not been involved because he had put in a transfer request.

That was disputed by sources close to the player — but what was not in doubt was the 27-year-old was clearly unhappy at United again.

And it was also obvious Ferguson had taken his revenge for what happened 2½ years earlier.

Rooney was again missing for the final match of the season as he spent time with his wife Coleen ahead of the birth of their second child.

He had some serious thinking to do as he headed off on international duty with England in the early part of the summer.

A new manager — one he knew well from his days at Goodison — could offer him a new start at Old Trafford.

And the Rooney family are settled in the North West so the idea of staying for a 10th year and trying to become the club’s all-time record scorer appealed to him.

However, his main worry was how the club’s fans would react to him after what Ferguson had done on his way out of the exit door.

Rooney wanted the club to come out and back him — even if it meant going against their legendary former manager, which put them in an awkward position.

For a while things were going OK. Rooney held a series of meetings with David Moyes (left) — even visiting each other’s houses to try and sort things out.

Moyes used his first Press conference to outline that Rooney was not for sale — and stressed how well he had performed since returning to Carrington.

Crucially, though, he danced around questions about how the player felt about staying.

There had been progress made — but no truce, no agreement on Rooney’s part that he would stay and try to become the top man again.

Yet he jetted out on United’s tour of the Far East last week — only to injure his hamstring and fly home again within 48 hours.

At the time, it put a doubt over whether he would be fit for the start of the season.

Now it raises a huge question mark over whether he will ever pull on the famous red shirt again.

Back at his Cheshire home over the weekend, Rooney was left angered by some of the reports he read and heard coming back from United’s training camp.

Moyes revealed Rooney would effectively have to wait for his chance and would provide useful back-up for 29-year-old Van Persie.

There were also reports he would effectively spend the season on trial before United took the decision over a new contract.

With several years at the top still ahead of him and a World Cup looming large next summer, it was not what Rooney wanted to hear.

He was stunned and contacted United to re-iterate that he wants out. In the next few days a transfer request could follow. Surely now there is no going back.