Rooney wants out! Striker 'confused and angry' with United over his future... so will Chelsea and Arsenal up the chase for star?

Wayne Rooney is reportedly 'angry and confused' over United's comments



Striker feels he has nothing to prove after nine seasons at Old Trafford



Rooney does not feel he should play second fiddle to anyone at United



Chelsea and Arsenal are both interested in signing Rooney



Wayne Rooney is ready to hand in a written transfer request after repeating to Manchester United his wish to quit.

The England forward was on Tuesday night understood to be ‘angry and confused’ over comments by new manager David Moyes that he will not be sold because he provides important back-up for

first-choice striker Robin van Persie.



Rooney is also furious over the stance taken by new United chief executive Ed Woodward, who insisted no contract talks will take place this summer with the club preferring to monitor Rooney’s progress over the coming season.



Declaration: Wayne Rooney is reportedly angry and confused over his Manchester United future

Strike a pose: Rooney feels he has nothing to prove after nine seasons at Old Trafford

The 27-year-old feels he is at the peak of his career and has nothing to prove after nine seasons at Old Trafford.



Since returning from United’s tour of the Far East and Australia for treatment on a hamstring injury last week, Rooney has made his feelings known to the club.



He has re-iterated his desire to leave — having issued a similar message to Sir Alex Ferguson last season — and is now prepared to put in a formal transfer request.



Rooney wants to go this summer with the World Cup less than a year away, and sources close to the player say he has no intention of allowing his career to go backwards by being a squad member or playing second fiddle to Van Persie.



Moyes faces a dilemma now the player has raised the stakes but there seems little chance of him staying. Rooney would prefer to join Chelsea, although Arsenal have enquired about taking him to the Emirates.



Top dog? Rooney feels he shouldn't be playing second fiddle to anyone at Old Trafford, even Robin van Persie

Tough stance: New United boss David Moyes

If United decide to let him leave, they would prefer not to sell to a domestic rival. They have already discussed the possible scenarios and believe that out of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, the French champions would be their preferred buyer.



Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho added more fuel to his interest in Rooney on Tuesday by warning that England’s World Cup hopes could suffer if he stays at United. Chelsea appear to have settled on Rooney as their main target after losing out on Radamel Falcao to Monaco and Edinson Cavani to PSG.



Mourinho said: ‘If Wayne is a second choice for Manchester United, then the national team will be affected.’



Despite the uproar over Rooney, United are confident of landing Cesc Fabregas by the start of the new season and are prepared to break their transfer record to sign him.



Cutting him out? Fans on United's Thailand visit were still able to pose with the striker despite his absence

Waving hello: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho spoke of his admiration for Rooney's direct style Disillusioned: Cesc Fabregas could be on his way to Manchester United

United have bid £26million for the Spain midfielder and have high hopes Barcelona will sell.



They believe the 26-year-old would choose them ahead of Arsenal — even though his old club have first refusal on him — and are prepared to go beyond the £30.8m they paid for Dimitar Berbatov in 2008.



Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova on Tuesday said Fabregas wanted to stay, but United would not be pursuing the player if they did not have at least an inkling that he could be persuaded to leave the Nou Camp.



They feel Fabregas’ nose has been put out of joint by the signing of the Brazilian Neymar.



Fighting fit: Rooney's team-mates are currently training in Australia with the striker stewing at home

No happy reunion? Rooney is fuming at comments made by Moyes, who brought him through at Everton

New boss? Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is also interested in bringing Rooney to The Emirates

Vilanova said: ‘I’m aware there have been offers. I had a conversation with him and he told me he wanted to continue here.’

Spanish international colleague David de Gea on Tuesday night expressed hope that Fabregas would join him at United.

He said: ‘It would be great if Cesc Fabregas came here. He is a great player, very skilful, knows how to win things and you always want those type of players in your team.’

Classy: Fabregas remains a midfielder of the very highest calibre