Rooney chose not to play in final farewell

Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future stands on a knife edge this morning after outgoing Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson revealed the England forward declined to play his final home game in charge of the club.

News emerged this week that Rooney had asked for a transfer two weeks ago, the second time in as many years the former Everton man made such a request.

Ferguson and United moved quickly to confirm his request had been rejected and Rooney was not for sale, which made Ferguson’s decision not to include his forward in his 18-man squad for the victory over Swansea all the more telling.