Many believe that Wayne Rooney's time with Manchester United may be coming to an end. The rumors started last summer when the franchise player mantle was handed to Robin Van Persie. The two eventually got on well, but Rooney was conspicuously left on the bench for major matches in recent weeks. One of those games was the second leg of the Champions league Round of 16 against Real Madrid.
The lack of appearances has created speculation about a falling out between Coach Sir Alex Ferguson and Rooney. Many have rumored that the star player could be headed to Paris Saint-Germain; however, Ferguson rules out any move of that sort.
"I don't think there is anything in that at all," Ferguson said in a recent interview. He did note that Rooney's lack of starts is the result of poor play. "As far as taking him off on Wednesday it was simple, he wasn't playing as well as Shinji Kagawa and we had to get that goal that mattered. There are so many games where Wayne Rooney has been better than most players, but on the night Shinji was playing so well."
His recent sentiments echo those he made back in March when the speculation started.
"We don't want players to leave. He'll definitely be here next season, there's no doubt about that," he stated a month ago.
Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton agreed with Ferguson and made similar statements back then. "I think that is a bit premature [to question Rooney's future]," Charlton said. "I don't know everything that happens at Manchester United, but I know a little... Wayne Rooney maybe has had an injury and has not performed as well as he might have done, but that doesn't mean to say that you get rid of him."
He added, "Sir Alex Ferguson came out and said that he had no intention of letting Wayne Rooney go anywhere. You have to abide by that and I believe it, 100%. He is a great player - why should we get rid of a great player?"