Is Rooney finished at United?

Interesting times ... is Wayne Rooney going to stay at Manchester United? Source: Andrew Yates / AFP

In the short-term, Nani's red card has dominated the headlines.

But as Manchester United look to close out the season with a Barclays Premier League triumph, the long-term implication of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League loss to Real Madrid will be the future of Wayne Rooney. 

Will Wayne Rooney remain at Manchester United next season?

On a night when Cristiano Ronaldo returned to a stage he once shared with Rooney (and was arguably second fiddle to him at an early stage), what can we read into Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to leave Rooney on the bench for the biggest game of the season? 

David Beckham was left out of against Real Madrid in 2003 and sold at the end of the season.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was left out of the Carling Cup Final in 2006 and was sold at the end of that season.

The links are too tempting not to re-visit. 

Former United skipper Roy Keane mused: "Wayne might be quite selfish about it and look at it and say the writing's on the wall for him."

Rooney, who won a new contract at Old Trafford after a game of contract cat and mouse with Ferguson when at the peak of his powers in 2010, has two-and-a-half years left on that deal. 

Is this history repeating, with Fergie looking for another great piece of business? Indeed, Paris Saint Germain were linked last week with a lucrative, money-spinning move. And ESPN reports that Ferguson would accept a fee of £35 million for him in the European summer. 

Or was it simply a pragmatic tactical selection?

For now, Fergie can suggest it was the latter.  

Danny Welbeck – at times maligned for a lack of control or incisiveness – was an inspirational first-half performer, tracking Xabi Alonso while also providing a direct outlet for the home side on the break. And had Nani not been sent-off, Ferguson’s tactics would likely have got the job done.  

Fergie has intimated that Rooney’s match fitness isn’t up to scratch after a series of injuries this season. Media reports in England suggest the manager has had concerns since Rooney reportedly reported for the season out of shape.

But he did play a full game and scored a sublime goal on the weekend.   

This could simply be a kick up the backside, but in fact, Rooney’s season statistics are not that bad at all. Considering he has been clearly usurped by Robin van Persie as the club’s No.1 marksman and has had to adapt with being shuffled amongst the supporting pack, Rooney has netted 11 goals and had nine assists in 20 games.

Should Nani have been sent-off v Real Madrid?

It’s ironic that while Rooney once questioned the club’s direction and vision, Ferguson deemed him surplus for requirements in the biggest game in years. 

Being left out of a big match has happened before, against Internazionale in the equivalent round in 2009.

But while Ronaldo has exploded into another ether since, Rooney’s expendability this week hints that a man destined to become a great England talisman is in no-man’s land at the moment. 

So, even if there is nothing sinister and it’s just a tactical decision, the football world will be watching to see if the man himself is content with being second fiddle to RVP (he may have even fancied his chances of finishing some of the chances the Dutchman enjoyed over both legs), a playmaker not fancied for the big matches (or chosen as a worker, like in Madrid) or a squad man to be selected on a horses for courses basis.

A utility with a high profile … 

And if perception is reality and it’s the end of an era, when did Ferguson lose faith and Rooney cease to be a goal scoring asset in big games?

Coleen Rooney tweeted: "Can't believe Wayne Rooney isn't starting tonight!" Will they be discussing a new home over the next few weeks?

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