Sir Alex Ferguson: 'Wayne Rooney did ask to leave'

Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Wayne Rooney asked to leave the club following their league success in May.

In his new book, My Autobiography, the Scot also claimed that Rooney's agent Paul Stretford indicated that the England striker wanted to depart the club.

"He came into my office the day after we won the league and asked away. He wasn't happy about being left out for some games and subbed in others. His agent Paul Stretford phoned David Gill (the former United chief executive) with the same message," wrote Ferguson.

Rooney had been widely linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer, but was convinced by new boss David Moyes to remain at Old Trafford.