If Manchester United striker Wayne
Rooney decides to swap Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge, he could be
joining his best friend in football.
As Sportsmail revealed yesterday, Rooney told outgoing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he wanted to leave the club two weeks ago.
Although Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are both keen on the England international, Chelsea - who expect to welcome Jose Mourinho back this summer - are seriously considering Rooney to bolster their front line.
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Should the 27-year-old decide to move
from Manchester to west London, he would be linking up with a man he
'would take a bullet for': Ashley Cole.
Rooney, who has grown frustrated with being in and out of Ferguson's squad this season, gushed about Chelsea left back Cole when he met Piers Morgan while on a trip to America in July last year.
When Morgan asked him who his best friend was in football, Rooney said: 'Ashley Cole.'
The CNN anchor, as a lifelong Arsenal fan, was taken aback, as Gunners fans have never forgiven the England defender for ditching the Emirates for Chelsea in 2006.
But Rooney added: 'He’s nothing like
what you guys think. Ash is a really sound guy and has been a proper
friend to me. I’d take a bullet for him.
'I would! And he would for me, too. We’d die for each other!'
Sportsmail understands David Moyes, Rooney's first manager in professional football, will be confirmed as Ferguson's replacement today and one of his first challenges will be to persuade the England striker to stay.
Rooney asked Ferguson for a transfer late last month and was told in no uncertain terms that he would not be sold this summer.
The forward may reconsider his stance now that Moyes is taking over, particularly amid rumours Cristiano Ronaldo could be in line for a sensational return to Old Trafford after four years at Real Madrid.
But Rooney and Moyes have had their differences in the past and Rooney might have burned his bridges at Old Trafford having already tried to force through a move in 2010 when he handed in a transfer request.
Ferguson reacted angrily in February
to suggestions Rooney would be sold, stating unequivocally that the
Liverpudlian would be at the club next season.
Last night, a United spokesman insisted: 'Wayne Rooney is not for sale.'
United could get £25m for Rooney, who has scored 16 goals this season, money which could be reinvested to sign Robert Lewandowski or Radamel Falcao to partner Robin van Persie in attack next season.
Rooney has grown increasingly frustrated after spending most of the season playing a deeper role in midfield, a position he has not always appeared comfortable with.
Van Persie, meanwhile, has taken most of the plaudits for powering United to a 13th Premier League title after scoring 25 goals in 36 matches.
The return of Ronaldo, who spent six years at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009 before leaving for Real in an £80m deal, could change Rooney's mind.
The pair forged a devastating partnership and won three League titles and the Champions League together.
Despite an emotional morning meeting in which Ferguson explained the reasons for his departure at the end of this season, Rooney and his United team-mates looked relaxed and in good spirits as they spent the afternoon at Chester racecourse.
Rooney was photographed enjoying a pint of beer as the players let off steam ahead of the two final fixtures of the season.
Ferguson will take his place in the
Old Trafford dug-out for the last time this Sunday, as United host
Swansea City, and will bow out at West Bromwich Albion next weekend in
his 1,500th match in charge.
The club released a statement at 9.20am on Wednesday morning confirming speculation that Ferguson was to call time on his magnificent career at the club.
It read: 'The quality of this league-winning squad, and the balance if ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level, while the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.'
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As Sportsmail revealed yesterday, Rooney told outgoing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he wanted to leave the club two weeks ago.
Although Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are both keen on the England international, Chelsea - who expect to welcome Jose Mourinho back this summer - are seriously considering Rooney to bolster their front line.
Scroll down for video
Best friends: Wayne Rooney (left) said he would take a bullet for Ashley Cole in a 2012 interview with Piers Morgan
Driving force: Rooney left Manchester United's Carrington training ground this morning
Change of scenery: Wayne Rooney asked Sir Alex
Ferguson for a transfer this summer at the end of last month after
growing increasingly frustrated with his role in the United team
All in blue: How Rooney would look in Chelsea
colours as imagined by Sportsmail. The London club have been put on
alert by news that Rooney wants a move away from Old Trafford, with
Bayern Munich and PSG also interested
Happier times: Rooney and Ferguson lark around
before a Champions League semi-final with Schalke in 2011. But the
striker has grown increasingly disillusioned with his role at the club
Rooney, who has grown frustrated with being in and out of Ferguson's squad this season, gushed about Chelsea left back Cole when he met Piers Morgan while on a trip to America in July last year.
When Morgan asked him who his best friend was in football, Rooney said: 'Ashley Cole.'
The CNN anchor, as a lifelong Arsenal fan, was taken aback, as Gunners fans have never forgiven the England defender for ditching the Emirates for Chelsea in 2006.
New boss: David Moyes, the incoming United manager, was Rooney's first professional boss at Everton
Partnership: Rooney and Ronaldo were devastating
when playing in tandem at United, winning three Premier League titles
and the Champions League
'I would! And he would for me, too. We’d die for each other!'
Sportsmail understands David Moyes, Rooney's first manager in professional football, will be confirmed as Ferguson's replacement today and one of his first challenges will be to persuade the England striker to stay.
Rooney asked Ferguson for a transfer late last month and was told in no uncertain terms that he would not be sold this summer.
The forward may reconsider his stance now that Moyes is taking over, particularly amid rumours Cristiano Ronaldo could be in line for a sensational return to Old Trafford after four years at Real Madrid.
But Rooney and Moyes have had their differences in the past and Rooney might have burned his bridges at Old Trafford having already tried to force through a move in 2010 when he handed in a transfer request.
Off colour: Rooney has sometimes looked uncomfortable in his newly-adopted midfield role this season
Newly appointed: Moyes smiling yesterday after leaving Everton chairman Bill Kenwright's offices in London
Last night, a United spokesman insisted: 'Wayne Rooney is not for sale.'
United could get £25m for Rooney, who has scored 16 goals this season, money which could be reinvested to sign Robert Lewandowski or Radamel Falcao to partner Robin van Persie in attack next season.
Rooney has grown increasingly frustrated after spending most of the season playing a deeper role in midfield, a position he has not always appeared comfortable with.
Van Persie, meanwhile, has taken most of the plaudits for powering United to a 13th Premier League title after scoring 25 goals in 36 matches.
The return of Ronaldo, who spent six years at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009 before leaving for Real in an £80m deal, could change Rooney's mind.
Overshadowed: 25-goal Robin van Persie has stolen the limelight from Rooney this season
Refreshment: Rooney enjoys a pint of beer at Chester racecourse yesterday
Despite an emotional morning meeting in which Ferguson explained the reasons for his departure at the end of this season, Rooney and his United team-mates looked relaxed and in good spirits as they spent the afternoon at Chester racecourse.
Rooney was photographed enjoying a pint of beer as the players let off steam ahead of the two final fixtures of the season.
Change: Rooney altered his Twitter blurb from Manchester United player to Nike Athlete recently
The club released a statement at 9.20am on Wednesday morning confirming speculation that Ferguson was to call time on his magnificent career at the club.
It read: 'The quality of this league-winning squad, and the balance if ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level, while the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.'
Read more: http:/
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