Rooney didn’t deserve starting place on form

Alex Ferguson insists there would not be a problem with Wayne Rooney had the Manchester United striker’s form been as good last season as it is now.

Ferguson has refused to withdraw his claim Rooney expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford, even though it has been established the England man never submitted a formal transfer request. Relations between Ferguson and Rooney had collapsed to such an extent it is impossible to imagine the former Everton man would have stayed at United had his long-time manager remained in his job.

But Ferguson insists the breakdown would not have occurred now.

“Do you think I would drop Wayne Rooney if he was playing the way he is now?” said Ferguson.

“Absolutely no way.”

Rooney went to see Ferguson, for what was intended to be a private chat, after growing tired of being played out of position. Yet, according to the former United boss, Rooney’s form had not been good enough to warrant a place in his team.

The issue was made worse due to the fact Rooney had already requested to leave once, in 2010, when he definitely did slap in a transfer request.