Rooney Exit Likely In Summer

The Sunday Supplement panel expect Wayne Rooney to leave Manchester United in the summer, but say he made the right decision to stay this week.

Rumours were rife on Thursday that the England captain could be on his way to China ahead of their transfer deadline day on February 28 after his agent flew to the country for reported talks with interested clubs.

But Rooney soon put an end to any speculation, releasing a statement saying he would be staying with the Premier League side, with manager Jose Mourinho also hinting the striker would be involved during Sunday's EFL Cup final against Southampton live on Sky Sports.

However, the Sunday Supplement panel say they do not expect him to still be with the club in the summer, with The Times' chief football correspondent Oliver Kay adding that Rooney has concluded that he needs a change of scenery.

"I know there's been interest and enquiries from Chinese clubs over the last 12 months to Rooney and to Rooney's people," he told the Sky Sports show.

"I don't think it would make sense for Rooney at this point to go to China. We've seen players do it, we know the money is fantastic and we know he's on fantastic money at United. He's just broken the club's goal scoring record and this season he could end up with three medals, perhaps lifting three trophies.

"I don't think he'll be at United next season. All the whispers suggest that he's come to the conclusion that he needs a change of scenery.

"Between now and the end of the season he's got a great opportunity to achieve something more at United. The last three or four years probably haven't been very satisfying for him and he's got the opportunity to go out on a high and then look at it in the summer.

"He will have to think if he wants to go to China, America, Europe or perhaps even somewhere else in the Premier League but that's unlikely."

The Telegraph's Northern football correspondent James Ducker echoed the feelings of Kay, and believes Rooney does not want to play a bit-part player at United to end his career.

"I don't think he ever envisaged leaving in mid-season and suddenly he's presented with a scenario whereby he's not just on the periphery, he's so far down the pecking order now," he said.

"He's made it very clear privately that he's not interested in hanging around on the bench and coming on for 20 minutes in Europa League games or 10 minutes in the EFL Cup. He does want to play but if you look at the United side now it's very hard to see a place for him as a regular.

"He's made the right move. There's a lot of debate as to whether there was a firm contract offer to move this month but there's a prospect of another three trophies and a top-four finish.

"Seeing out the season was a smart move and then he can consider his options in the summer. I do expect him to leave in the summer."

Credit: Skysports.com