Ferguson confirmed Sportsmail’s story that Rooney wants to leave and also indicated he had asked not to be in the squad for yesterday’s 2-1 win over Swansea.
‘I don’t think Wayne was keen to play simply because he’s asked for a transfer,’ Ferguson said.
Rooney demanded a transfer in showdown talks with Ferguson just over two weeks ago and wants a summer move to Chelsea after nine years at United.
Minutes after he lifted the Premier League trophy and the players, including Rooney, received their medals, Ferguson revealed his striker’s desire to move, adding: ‘He wants to think it through in his mind.
‘I think that’s a good idea. We’re not going to let him go. I think maybe he’s a little frustrated at being taken off once or twice in the last few weeks.’
Rooney, who has two years left on his £250,000-a-week deal, was not even on the substitutes’ bench as fans gave Ferguson a tremendous send-off.
Instead, he watched from an executive box and joined team-mates to celebrate United’s 13th Premier League title at the final whistle.
The striker and Ferguson barely acknowledged each other when Rooney — jeered by some United fans when he got on to the field — walked up to receive his medal.
Although incoming United manager David Moyes intends to speak to Rooney when he takes over, Ferguson has an influential position on the club’s board next season.
As Sportsmail revealed last week, Jose Mourinho, who is set to be the new Chelsea manager, is anxious to bring Rooney to Stamford Bridge and is willing to pay £25million for him. Rooney, 27, who lost his guaranteed starting place when Robin van Persie arrived from Arsenal, wants to leave United after making just 22 starts in the league this season and playing in six different positions.
Rooney will be named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad on Thursday for friendlies against the Republic of Ireland on May 29 at Wembley and Brazil in Rio on June 2.
Former United defender and England coach Gary Neville, who was at Old Trafford yesterday, intends to have talks with Rooney when he reports for international duty.
Speaking in his role as an analyst for Sky Sports, Neville said: ‘He (Rooney) is an emotional lad and he needs to consider what he’s done.
‘He’s 27 and there’s nowhere to go. I’ve seen players join Real Madrid and they want to come back. He loves football, the players will look after him. He’s been vacant on the pitch recently and he’s not been himself.
‘He’s sat up there in that box watching the game, but he needs to surround himself with friends and family.
‘This is a good kid. He’s not rash, just emotional. These players have massive egos. When they don’t play against Real Madrid in the Champions League they get down, but they have to deal with adversity.
‘There is an international break coming and that will be an important time for him to enjoy his football again.’
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