Manchester United's Alex Ferguson admits Rooney wants to leave

Sir Alex Ferguson has told a press conference of his "terrible disappointment" at the news that Wayne Rooney wants to leave Manchester United when his contract expires. 

Ferguson appeared baffled as to why his star striker wants out.

"No-one can deny this club is one of the most successful in British football. We have won 40 main trophies, countless cup finals, a fantastic history, great stadium, great training arrangements. We don't understand it. I can't answer any questions about why he is doing it.

"We can speculate. We can have opinions. It won't matter a dickie-bird, simply because the player is adamant he wants to leave. I can do more than I have said at the moment because we still, to my mind, have the door open."

The Old Trafford boss insisted he hadn't had a falling out with Rooney. Rumours have been rife and Rooney's future at the club has been in doubt over the last few days, following reports that he wasn't prepared to sign a new contract when his current deal finishes at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

In an interview with Manchester United TV, filmed before the press conference, Ferguson said he was "dumbfounded" when he found out Rooney wouldn't be staying at Man Utd.

"I was in the office on 14 August and David [Rooney's agent] phone me to say he [Rooney] wouldn't be signing a contract.

"I was dumbfounded. Only months before he's been saying he was at the greatest club in the world."

Ferguson then had a meeting with Rooney in which he says he told the sportsman 'respect this club. I don't want any nonsense from you'. 

"I don't know if he has done that. I have doubts on that, we are reading all these things about falling out with me and all that nonsense."

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Manchester United advert

Despite his Old Trafford exit, Rooney stars in a new Manchester United TV ad that's set to air in 80 countries. 

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Rio Ferdinand's shock

Man Utd. defender Rio Ferdinand has told of his shock at the Rooney announcement. He tweeted:

"Wanted to sleep but just watching sky sports news. I weren't expecting that, my phones HOT right now."

Presumably he's expecting a knock on his door from Ashley Cole any moment now.