United manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed in an astonishing statement on Tuesday that Rooney's representatives had told United chief executive David Gill on Aug 14 that the player wanted to leave.
The timing of that announcement from Rooney's camp rules out the possibility that the reason for Rooney seeking a move had anything to do with any unhappiness over the handling of an ankle injury he suffered last month, and Ferguson confirmed the deal United were prepared to offer the player was "the best contract any player could have".
