IS ROONEY

United striker faces uncertain future as his career winds down

MANCHESTER

EARLY in Wayne Rooney’s time at Manchester United, a psychologist visited the club’s training ground and one of the things he talked about was retirement.

“You reach 32 and you are coming to the edge of the cliff,” recalled Roy Keane, one of Rooney’s predecessors as United captain.

“The psychologist said the descent could be gradual or “Bump” — you’re over the cliff. You just hope it will be gradual.”

Rooney is 31 now and looking over the edge. Retirement doesn’t wait at the bottom but a life away from United does. For many players that ends up being the same thing sooner than they think.

Rooney’s march for the exit at Old Trafford seems to accelerate with each passing week. For much of this season his poor form has been the topic of debate.

Jose Mourinho arrived at United last summer expecting Rooney to be fundamental to his rebuilding project. Soon he decided Rooney was peripheral. Now the suitable adjective is expendable.

This weekend the talk returned to another familiar Rooney topic — his lifestyle. newspaper informed us that Rooney lost £500,000 (RM2.75 million) in two hours in a Manchester casino two months ago.

Those familiar with Rooney’s games of choice — blackjack and roulette — say that is a phenomenal