Rooney 'Wants out of Old Trafford'

The Wayne Rooney media circus has been on tour for a while now and his latest act has left the footballing World stunned, confused and - especially for United fans - a little bemused.

Earlier today, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson spoke at a pre-match press conference ahead of United's Champions League encounter in Turkey tomorrow looking dejected, as he revealed that Wayne Rooney had made his intentions clear of his desire to leave Old Trafford in the near future.

After taking to his seat, the United manager opened the press conference by saying, "Look, I know you all have a million questions about this, so let's lay down the facts....'.

The United boss set the press reports straight by insisting that United Chairman David Gill had spoken with Rooney and during his meeting with Gill, Wayne Rooney expressed his desire to leave Manchester United. Gill broke the news to Ferguson, who found the decision surprising and a curious one. The manner in the way the Scot spoke showed signs of a wounded man, as he spoke openly about the way the club have supported the England star throughout his United career and more recently supported him through troubled times regarding allegations about his private life.

Rooney has spent six successful years at Old Trafford after arriving from Everton in a thirty million pound deal in 2004. During his United career Wayne Rooney has earned a fond following among the United fans, players and the backroom staff at United for his professional attitude and his appetite for the game. On occasion Wayne Rooney reeled off to the Stretford End, sliding to his knees and kissing the United badge with vigour after scoring many vital United goals. But now, Wayne Rooney is set to leave all of his United experiences behind in search of a new challenge and a new start.

But where? A player of Wayne Rooney's class can realistically only move on to two or three other clubs that can match his ambition and wage demands. Manchester City will be considered front runners already, having recently secured the services of Carlos Tevez in a cross-Manchester move. Manchester City certainly have the financial clout to meet Rooney's astronimical wage demands and early signs suggest that City's prowess on the football field is to be taken seriously as they currently sit above United and below Chelsea in second in the Barclays Premier League.

The only other options viable to Wayne Rooney are surely Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain. Real Madrid are renowned for spending big on Galatico's and have a recent example of their willingness to splash the cash with Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer of 2009. Jose Mourinho could be the man to deliver Wayne to Spain, should Rooney wish to move to La Liga.

Completing the list of Rooney's suitors are former European Champions Barcelona, where Rooney would slot in nicely alongside the top players in World Football. But, many may argue that with the likes of David Villa, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta in a proven and world class attack, would splashing out on Rooney serve as value for money for the Catalans? We'll have to wait and see.

With rumours of supposed contract talks stalling, the United manager voice his lack of understanding in the United striker's decision, claiming that no disagreement had come to blows for the pair, as stated in much of the national press over recent days.

Sources suggest that Rooney's agent cited the club owner's 'lack of ambition and drive' as the main focus of the player's reluctance to sign a contract extension. The player's agent also suggested that the Glazer's are 'more interested in making money than achieving honours'. Rooney was expected to sign a deal that would keep him at United until the end of his playing career, which is why the news came as such a shock to the United manager.

So, Manchester United look destined to lose another star man. In a little over two seasons United look to have lost three players of incredible ability, passion and presence. First Ronaldo and Tevez exited Old Trafford and Wayne Rooney was left to take centre stage, of which he did for large parts of last season. Now, Rooney has signalled his intentions to leave Manchester United, one of the greatest clubs in the World behind for pastures new, but who at United will step out of the shadows to fill the increasingly gaping void......?

During the press conference Ferguson was adamant that there had been no tension between the pair and he was clear that Rooney was always welcome at Old Trafford, quoting on several occasions that "The door is always open". But the manager has lost big names before and the manner in which Ferguson presented himself to the press suggests that Wayne Rooney's mind may already be made up and that his future destination is all but settled.

It's only October and a move out of Old Trafford can only go ahead in January at the earliest, so I expect the Rooney exile saga to bubble away for a while yet.......