Fergie bombshell as Man United boss confirms Rooney is leaving Old Trafford this summer

After Sir Alex Ferguson lifted his 13th Premier League trophy, the legendary Manchester United manager revealed he left Wayne Rooney out of his matchday squad because the England striker had asked to leave the club.

The new champions, who edged past Swansea in Ferguson's final home game of his 27-year reign, started without the 27-year-old even earning a place on the bench.

Watching on: Wayne Rooney watches Sir Alex Ferguson's last match in charge from the stands

Ferguson confirmed that Rooney played no part because he had asked to leave the club, but stressed United were unwilling to let their striker leave in the summer.

Embrace: Rooney was given a pat on the back by Ferguson (right) after he received his medal

Proud moment: Wayne Rooney (right) was joined by his son Kai on the pitch after the match

'I don't think Wayne was keen to play simply because he's asked for a transfer,' he said. 'I think he wants to think things through in his mind; I think that's a good idea.

'We're not going to let him go. I think he's maybe a bit frustrated that he's been taken off once or twice in the last few weeks.'

He added: 'We've refused [the transfer request] - he needs to go away and think about it.'

The 71-year-old believes Rooney is frustrated at playing less this season. Ferguson has preferred top scorer Robin van Persie as his leading striker and has started Danny Welbeck over Rooney on occasion.

The games Rooney has started have often been cut short, with Ferguson withdrawing him early a number of times in recent weeks.

One last time: Sir Alex Ferguson lifted his 13th Premier League trophy after watching his side beat Swansea at Old Trafford

'I think he wants to think it through in his mind - I think that's a good idea,' Ferguson added. 'We're not going to let him go.

'I think maybe he is a bit frustrated. He has been taken off once or twice in the past couple of weeks.'

Ferguson was then asked whether Rooney would be at Old Trafford this season, the retiring boss replied: 'It is not my decision now.'

Rooney was also left on the bench by Ferguson for Real Madrid's visit in the Champions League round-of-16 game, a decision that irked the player.

It is now anticipated by Rooney's camp that United will make him an offer of a new contract but the level of his wages will be a decisive factor.

Rooney is reported to earn around £250,000 a week on his current deal, and the club would be reluctant to increase it - and he would certainly not accept a pay cut.

Speculation: Wayne Rooney could be leaving United this summer, with Chelsea and PSG ready to pounce

The future? How Rooney would look in Chelsea colours as imagined by Sportsmail

Moyes and Rooney have had their differences in the past, particularly when the manager won substantial libel damages, which he donated to charity, over remarks about him in the player's autobiography.

That has been smoothed over however and is no longer regarded as an issue in their relationship.

Former United defender Gary Neville, working today as a television pundit but whom, later this month, will become Rooney's coach for England friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil, said the striker needed to sort himself out.

'Wayne is an emotional lad and you can see in the last couple of months he hasn't quite been himself,' said Neville.

'Wayne Rooney wears his heart on his sleeve. He fights every refereeing decision. But he has been a bit vacant on the pitch. You can see something is wrong.

'But there is nowhere to go from here. I have seen players join Real Madrid and other great clubs in Europe. But they always want to come back.

'If you play for this club for 20 years it is not a bed of roses. You struggle mentally at times. He will be going through a difficult moment.

'But in a couple of weeks he will be coming away with England. Then he needs to have the summer off and hopefully get his head back to being a Manchester United player.'

Neville feels Rooney's family, and agent Paul Stretford, have a crucial role to play over the next few weeks.

'This is a good kid,' said Neville.

All smiles: Ferguson arrives for his last ever game at Old trafford

Arrival: Rooney arrives in a United tracksuit, giving no clue that he wouldn't be playing

'He needs to surround himself with his family and his players. The ones who have been here for a long time will bring him round.

'He is not someone who will make rash decisions but he needs people around him to give him good advice. He has an agent and friends. They need to be giving him the right advice.

'This is the only club he should be playing at.'


Chelsea are leading the chase for the England striker with French giants Paris Saint-Germain also interested.

Despite ongoing speculation, Rooney, posting on his Twitter account ahead of the match, was looking forward to the goodbye party.

'Looking forward to today's game. Excited to lift the trophy and receive my 5th league medal,' he tweeted earlier today.

Goodbye? Rooney could be heading for the Old Trafford exit door

Rooney collected his League title-winner's medal during the prize-giving ceremony and received a mixed reaction from the crowd as his name was announced as a number of jeers were audible inside Old Trafford.

The England striker also got a pat on the back from his outgoing boss - but the pair did not embrace in the manner that Ferguson reserved for many other members of his squad.

Earlier today, Bryan Robson, aware of the rife speculation, offered incoming manager David Moyes some advice, urging him to make securing Rooney's future his first priority

'If I were in his shoes, one of the first things I’d be doing is sitting Wayne down and telling him what an important player he can be for United for the next four or five years,' said Robson in an interview with the Sunday Mirror.

Onwards: Manchester United released this picture earlier this week

Fond farewell: Ferguson will manage his last game at Old Trafford today - and could leave Wayne Rooney on the bench

Replacement: David Moyes (right) will take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford this summer

'I would tell Wayne what my plans were for the future of United and how he fits in with those plans. I would be doing all I could to make sure Wayne stays at United.'

Rooney has played second fiddle to Holland striker Van Persie this season, scoring just 16 goals while being played in a number of different positions.

'David knows Wayne well from when he was a youngster and I think he will be able to talk to him as well as anyone and sort things out. Wayne has got to toe the line and I’m sure he is aware of that.

'But let’s not forget he’s still one of the outstanding talents we’ve got in this country.

'David has a fantastic squad to work with and a nice balance of youth and experience.

'There’s no doubt, though, that Wayne Rooney is one of the really key players in that squad.'

Meanwhile, Rooney's team-mate Phil Jones was delighted to pick up his first League-winners' medal after final-day heartache last season.

Poster boy: Rooney is the centre piece of a huge banner that will be unveiled at Old Trafford

The centre back said: 'You dream of things like that as a kid and you hope it one day happens, and it's an incredible feeling.

'It's amazing. The supporters have been fantastic all season, especially after last season where we all know what happened. We've bounced back really well and that's the Man United way.'

Ferguson recently suggested Jones had the ability to become the greatest player in United's history.

Responding to that, the England international said: 'It makes me feel bigger. I admire the comments but it doesn't stop there, you have to keep playing and as long as I play the way I have I'm sure things will be good.'

He added of Ferguson: 'He's a fantastic manager, everyone knows that, you can't speak highly enough of him but what he's done for me personally has been fantastic and I can't thank him enough.'