Manchester United could run down Wayne Rooney contract

Manchester United have suggested that they could allow Wayne Rooney's contract to expire, amid speculation surrounding his future.

The England international, who handed in a transfer request towards the end of last season, has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer.

Rooney is rumoured to have attracted the interest of domestic rivals Arsenal and Chelsea, but United chief executive Ed Woodward insists that the champions have no problem in running down the 27-year-old's contract.

"There are no contract renewals that are being discussed," Woodward told the Daily Mail.

"I am not sitting down with any player on an extension and there is no trigger date in the diary. Would we be afraid to run a contract down? Of course not."

Rooney has two years left on his current deal with United.