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Wayne Rooney is facing the axe from Sir Alex Ferguson’s farewell game at Old Trafford this weekend, writes David McDonnell.

Rooney is set to be left out of Manchester United’s Premier League match with Swansea, after asking to leave the club for a second time.

Ferguson is said to have been dismayed by the striker’s actions in demanding a move and is ready to drop him for Sunday’s emotional occasion - which will not only be the Scot's retirement party but will see United presented with the Premier League trophy.

Despite United’s public insistence that Rooney is not for sale, it is understood the club are willing to offload the striker this summer if they can get upwards of £25million for him.

Ferguson has been disappointed with Rooney’s form and attitude this season, and is understood to have been paving the way for the 27-year-old’s departure this summer.

Rooney has two years left on his current contract and the Old Trafford giants are ready to cash in on him while they can still realise a significant return from his sale.

Incoming United boss David Moyes - who accepted substantial damages when he settled a libel action against Rooney in 2008 following the publication of his autobiography - is unlikely to stand in the player’s way, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich leading the way to sign the unhappy England international.

Rooney’s camp have refused to comment on the situation, but it is clear the forward wants a new challenge after becoming disillusioned with being in and out of the United team.

The relationship with Rooney and Ferguson remains fraught, and even the arrival of the player’s former Everton manager Moyes at Old Trafford is unlikely to see the player stay.

Rooney, who also threatened to leave United in 2010 before eventually signing a new £220,000-a-week deal, is likely to receive a hostile reception from fans on Sunday.

After his unseemly public contract stand-off two-and-a-half years ago, he managed to regain the trust of United fans, but that has been lost with his latest demand to leave.

* ALEX FERGUSON is furious that his farewell plans were ruined by a leak, writes Alan Nixon.

The Manchester United chief planned to break the news of his retirement on the pitch at Old Trafford on Sunday when he made his end-of-season address to the fans.

The Scot saw it as the ideal way of bowing out in front of the Sunday worshippers – with his 20th title trophy in hand.

But Ferguson’s idea – known only to a select few – came out in the media and spoiled his fun. A source close to Ferguson said: “Sir Alex is raging that someone very close let him down.”