Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that Wayne Rooney has again asked to leave Manchester United after the wily Old Scot has limited his first team starts this season, but after persuading him to stay at the club a few years back when he did the same, here are three reasons why United should let him leave.
1) No player is bigger than the club
A mantra that Sir Alex has lived by at the helm of Manchester United, if a player gets too big for his boots he is quickly shown the exit. Fergie is an old school individual who knows that players come and go, but the club will always remain more important than an inflated ego – no matter how talented they are.
If Rooney wants to go, let him. If he believes that he can find a better opportunity to play than at the champions of England, then let him. Old Trafford is a special place, so if Rooney feels he is destined for elsewhere, then let him go.
2) Loose cannon
Rooney has proved time and time again that he can’t control his anger and it has let him and his teammates down on numerous occasions. Some people try to pass it off as passion for the game but his ill-mannered style of play is ugly to watch. Yes he is an incredible talent when he wants to be, but I don’t buy that taking away the aggression out of his game would sterile his ability.
3) Money
Rooney has two years left on his United contract and if he is unwilling to sign an extension then the United board need to cash in. It has been suggested that a fee of up to £25m will be enough to secure his services for another club, and that amount of money could be put towards a signing of the magnitude of Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale.