Rooney wants to leave Man U, claims Fergie's former assistant Phelan

A trusted aide of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that Wayne Rooney wants to leave Old Trafford.

According to The Sun, Ferguson had claimed that the England striker had asked to leave the club for a second time when he dropped him at the end of last season.

Agreeing with the Scot’s claims, his former assistant Mike Phelan said that despite being at the greatest club that he can be at, Rooney is considering jeopardizing his chances at the side as he wants a fresh challenge, adding that Rooney feels that the challenge is not being met at United.

Although the report said that Rooney has already held one set of talks with new United boss David Moyes, however, Phelan, who left his role as assistant manager at Old Trafford last month, believes that both parties could agree that a parting of the ways is for the best.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are all watching the situation closely and waiting with £25 million bids, the report added.

Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters