• Premier League

Rooney worry over transfer request claim

ESPN staff
July 3, 2013

Wayne Rooney will ask Manchester United to make clear that he did not request a transfer last season when he meets David Moyes this week, according to widespread reports.

The Guardian, Daily Mirror and Daily Express all maintain that Rooney remains unhappy with Sir Alex Ferguson's claim before the penultimate game of last season that the England international had asked to leave the club.

Mike Phelan, who had been Ferguson's assistant prior to the Scot's retirement, repeated the claim in an interview on BBC Radio 5 Live this week. Referencing Rooney's initial request to leave in 2010, Phelan said: "You can put the first transfer request down to inexperience but the second one is putting yourself right out there."

However, Rooney is not believed to be seeking a move away at this point and is apparently fearful he will face a backlash from the club's fans if he stays. Moyes, his manager at Everton, is apparently eager to retain the player.

The reports suggest the 27-year-old had become disillusioned with life under Ferguson, who last season played him in midfield, questioned his fitness and left him out of high-profile matches. The Mirror understands, however, that Rooney would be "happy to play a team role either wide in a three-man forward line or at the front of midfield if required" under Moyes.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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