Wayne Rooney set to leave Manchester United in the summer… but he will reject China offers to break England’s appearance record
Rooney is 'looking for a change of scenery', according to journalists on the Sunday Supplement
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WAYNE ROONEY is set to leave Manchester United in the summer, according to the Sunday Supplement panel.
Times journalist Oliver Kay told the show the Red Devils' captain is looking for a change of scenery in the summer.
He said: "I know there's been interest and enquiries from Chinese clubs over the last 12 months to Rooney and to Rooney's people.
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"I don't think he'll be at United next season. All the whispers suggest that he's come to the conclusion that he needs a change of scenery.
"Between now and the end of the season he's got a great opportunity to achieve something more at United.
"The last three or four years probably haven't been very satisfying for him and he's got the opportunity to go out on a high and then look at it in the summer."
But Kay does not believe Rooney will end up in China next season.
SunSport yesterday revealed that the England captain is looking to play seven more times for the Three Lions to break Peter Shilton's appearance record.
And it is likely he would be out of Gareth Southgate's plans if he moved to the Far East.
Kay said of Rooney's potential next move: "I don't think it would make sense for Rooney at this point to go to China.
"We've seen players do it, we know the money is fantastic and we know he's on fantastic money at United.
"He's just broken the club's goal scoring record and this season he could end up with three medals, perhaps lifting three trophies.
"He will have to think if he wants to go to China, America, Europe or perhaps even somewhere else in the Premier League but that's unlikely."
Telegraph Northern football correspondent James Ducker agreed, claiming the United captain is now nowhere near the starting eleven.
He said: "I don't think he ever envisaged leaving in mid-season and suddenly he's presented with a scenario whereby he's not just on the periphery, he's so far down the pecking order now.
"He's made it very clear privately that he's not interested in hanging around on the bench and coming on for 20 minutes in Europa League games or 10 minutes in the EFL Cup.
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"He does want to play but if you look at the United side now it's very hard to see a place for him as a regular.
"He's made the right move. There's a lot of debate as to whether there was a firm contract offer to move this month but there's a prospect of another three trophies and a top-four finish.
"Seeing out the season was a smart move and then he can consider his options in the summer. I do expect him to leave in the summer."