LONDON, England, October 10- Wayne Rooney has revealed that his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson broke down because he was forced to play out of position at Manchester United.
The England forward, preparing for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Montenegro at Wembley, said he was disappointed to lose his place as a striker at Old Trafford.
“I didn’t feel like I got a consistent run of games up front,’ he said. ‘I actually felt when I played in midfield I did OK, but I didn’t want to play there.”
Ferguson is on record claiming Rooney handed in a transfer request at a training-ground meeting before the manager’s final home game in charge against Swansea on May 12. Rooney has always denied this.
There are expected to be further revelations about Ferguson’s relationship with Rooney when the Scot’s eagerly-awaited autobiography is released on October 23.
Rooney added: ‘Everyone at the club knew that’s where I wanted to play (up front) and that’s why I was disappointed because I got told to play in midfield and I didn’t want to. But I’d always go in and try to help the team, so I think there had to come a point where for my own career I had to be a bit selfish.
“In the past I’ve had no problem playing out of position, but I felt I deserved to play in my position, which wasn’t happening. Naturally I was disappointed and maybe that affected some of the games I played. Maybe when I’m a bit older, losing my legs a bit, I can go back there (to midfield).”
Rooney played in six different outfield positions last season and was cruelly named as a substitute for the Champions League first knockout round second-leg defeat by Real Madrid.
He lost his guaranteed starting place following Robin van Persie’s arrival from Arsenal in the summer of 2012, but has been rejuvenated under David Moyes.
Rooney, who has scored five times already this campaign, revealed that talks with United over his future are continuing following the acrimony in the close season.
Rooney said: ‘There’s been a lot of stuff happening and people waiting for me to say whatever, but I’ve spoken to the people who matter at the club and we’ve known ourselves what we’re doing. I’m sure the club made that clear. I didn’t want to come out saying anything. I wanted to just concentrate on my football. That’s what I’ve done and that’s what I’ll continue to do.
“I’m not going to go around saying I wanted to stay or I wanted to leave. I’ll concentrate on my football and see what happens after that.
“You can see I’m playing and I’m happy in my football. I’ll have more discussions with the club and we’ll see what happens from there. I just want to prove to people what a good player I am.’ Chelsea tried to sign Rooney in the summer, but United refused to sell him to a rival for the Barclays Premier League title.
Rooney, who will turn 28 this month, added: “David Moyes has come in and he’s playing me up front and I’m enjoying it. If it was the last 10-15 minutes of a game and we were holding on a bit and I got asked to drop in to help see the game out, I’m not saying I’d throw my arms up and not do it.
“I’ve been really happy all summer. From the outside looking in, it might not seem like it, but I have been settled.
“My wife has a new child and I’ve been really happy and focused and I’m just delighted to be playing injury-free and fit.
“Last year wasn’t my best season but there were times when I was playing in different positions.
“Sometimes when you’re not playing one position all the time it’s difficult to adapt.”
-By Daily Mail
