Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is set to quit the club because of limited match time under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, according to media reports. Rooney is yet to make a public statement, but he now feels that his relationship with Ferguson has suffered irreparable damage, reports The Guardian.
Ferguson's latest snub of Rooney fuelled fresh speculation the Manchester United superstar could be heading for the Old Trafford exit, despite the 24-year-old still having more than a year to run on his current contract.
Ferguson left Rooney on the bench for the clash with West Bromwich Albion, where the Red Devils squandered a two-goal lead to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Ferguson did not comment about the decision to omit Rooney, a move that followed speculation of a rift after the striker earlier contradicted the United boss's claims he was injured by stating he was fully fit.
It came after an earlier decision to drop Rooney for his return to Everton in September, which followed revelations about the 24-year-old England international's private life.
Rooney made headlines after poor performances and injury at the 2010 World Cup, as well as an alleged relationship with a prostitute, Jennifer Thompson.
Since then Rooney has been in and out of the United starting line-up and looking a pale imitation of the potent attacking force who was crowned the 2010 Footballer of the Year.
Rooney moved to Manchester United in 2004 after making his professional debut with Everton as an 18-year-old in 2004.