Soccer:Wayne Rooney has confirmed he wants to leave Manchester United, in a statement released this afternoon. The England striker claims he informed the club's chief executive David Gill of his decision last week after he received no assurances about the future of the squad at Old Trafford.
Rooney was responding to a press conference given by manager Alex Ferguson yesterday, in which the Scot said the player told the club of his desire to leave in August this year.
"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad," said Rooney today. "I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract."
Rooney admitted he was surprised by the depth of Ferguson's comments yesterday but remains a big fan of the United boss, despite his concern over the direction of the club.
"I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it," continued Rooney. "It is absolutely true, as he said, that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract. During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world.
"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?
"For me it's all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.
"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.
"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one-off and a genius."
Ferguson claimed yesterday he did not know why Rooney wanted to leave and said he was "dumbfounded" when told of the news by Gill in August.
Rooney's assertion that he only confirmed his wish to depart last week is his second contradiction of Ferguson in recent weeks, after he also denied he had an ankle injury that was preventing him from performing to his best.
His claim that it is the direction of the club that is his main concern would also suggest he does not necessarily want to move abroad to escape the media and is, therefore, open to a move to cash-rich neighbours Manchester City or champions Chelsea.
Earlier today, City manager Roberto Mancini has insisted he has had no contact with the player and echoed the comments of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, who said last night he expected the player to stay where he is.
“Rooney is a great player but I think he’ll stay at United,” said Mancini. “He’s a good player, he’s an important player for United.”
Pressed on whether he would be keen to sign the striker, Mancini added: “He is a United player. It’s not correct to speak about that situation. I have respect for him, for Ferguson, for United. I want to speak only about my players.
“It’s not my problem. I’m City manager. I have a lot of problems with my players. It’s important for me to focus on tomorrow’s game. He is a strong player like (Fernando) Torres, like (Lionel) Messi, like Carlos Tevez, like (Mario) Balotelli. This is my opinion.”
City and Madrid are seen as two of the most likely destinations for the 24-year-old. His current deal runs out in the summer of 2012, so United are likely to look to sell the player as soon as possible before his value starts to decline and the prospect of a free transfer comes in to play.
Should he make the move to Eastlands, he would be following in the footsteps of Tevez, who moved across the city last summer amid great acrimony and has shone for Mancini’s side.
Mourinho admitted last night he would be interested in signing Rooney should United decide they have no option but to sell. However, the former Chelsea manager insisted he believes the striker will remain at Old Trafford.
Speaking after Real’s 2-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League, Mourinho said: “He will stay. He probably wants to leave for some reason but I believe he belongs to Man United, he belongs to Man United fans, he belongs to Old Trafford. I believe he is going to stay.
“But if at the end of the day Man United decide that he is to leave, then give me a call.”
Mourinho admitted he would not be alone in a bidding war if Rooney is put on the market.
“Everybody will be interested,” he said. “But I like him, I like Sir Alex, I like Man United and I believe the best thing for him is to stay there for life.”
A move to Madrid would reunite Rooney with Cristiano Ronaldo, with whom he had so much success at Old Trafford. However, Mourinho laughed when asked about a possible reunion. “Yeah, but he will stay at Old Trafford for sure,” he said.
Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola is quoted in The Sun, as saying: "He is one of the greatest players in the world as there are very few players with his qualities. He's a player I admire very much."