Gary Neville has claimed that Wayne Rooney has a decision to make on his Manchester United future as his former team-mate faces accepting a diminished role at the club.

Rooney is no longer an automatic starter under Jose Mourinho, having been named as a substitute five times already this season.

The 31-year-old was dropped for the 4-1 victory over Leicester City in September and was named on the bench for the following three Premier League matches.

In the wake of fresh controversy, Neville has insisted that Rooney still has a role to play in this “new chapter” of his career, but admits it will be a reduced one.

“At the moment, the way Rooney fits into the jigsaw is that he plays some games and doesn't play others,” Neville told Sky Sports. “He's arrived at that period in his career where ultimately, that's how it's going to be for him.

“But that's not a criticism, that's just a happening. That's what happens to all players as they get into their 30s, they don't play every single week Wednesday-Saturday, Wednesday-Saturday.

“His performances haven't been up to his level for the past eight to 12 months. Mourinho has left him out in the past months, he's put other players in, and it's for Wayne Rooney to fight his way back into the team.”

Neville, who made 602 senior appearances for United between 1992 and 2011, went on to note that Rooney will have to decide whether to accept a reduction in playing time, as he did during his own career.

Gary Neville's Manchester United team Show all 11 1 /11 Gary Neville's Manchester United team Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Goalkeeper:</b> David De Gea Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Right-back:</b> Antonio Valencia Expected return: 17 December vs West Brom Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Centre-back:</b> Chris Smalling Expected return: 17 December vs West Brom Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Centre-back:</b> Eric Bailly Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Left-back:</b> Daley Blind Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Central midfield:</b> Michael Carrick Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Central midfield:</b> Ander Herrera Herrera walks off the Old Trafford pitch after receiving a second yellow card Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Central midfield:</b> Paul Pogba Martial and Pogba scored a penalty each at Old Trafford Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Right midfielder:</b> Henrikh Mkhitaryan Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Left midfielder:</b> Antony Martial Getty Gary Neville's Manchester United team <b>Striker:</b> Marcus Rashford Getty

“It's a personal choice that United players have had to decide previously; are they happy with those 25-30 games a season, or do they want to get out and play every week?

“That's something Wayne Rooney has to decide over the next six, 12 months or whatever that will be. It's not a choice Manchester United can make, as long as he has a contract. It's his choice.

The 41-year-old does, however, expect Rooney to fight on for a regular first-team place at Old Trafford.