The end is now in sight for United and England

REPORTS his decision public. Rooney confirmed he does not want to play for a Premier League club other than United or Everton where he started his career.

That leaves the door open for a return to Goodison Park but would appear to drastically cut down his domestic options.

While Everton manager Ronald Koeman has expressed interest in taking Rooney back to his spiritual home there are also offers from China and the USA.

Rooney has a year left on his £300,000-a-week contract and Mourinho wants him to stay. But the problem is a simple one: Rooney wants more gametime, particularly on the big occasions where he has become a peripheral figure.

And he knows he could fall further down the pecking order if United land top summer transfer targets Antoine Griezmann and Romelu Lukaku.

“As the manager has said before, he wants me to stay,” said Rooney. “But I just have to make a football decision and that’s what I’ll do.

“First of all I’ve always been a team player. This year, I’ve never once sulked, let my head drop, I’ve understood what was best for the team, I’ve tried to help when the manager’s played me.

“Of course you want to play, you want to be on the pitch. I think a younger me would have been a lot more frustrated.

“I understand what’s right and what’s needed for the club and I respect that. Obviously I’ve been happy to be part of that and in some way help the club win trophies and that’s the way it’s been over the last 18 months. And that’s a decision I have to

I’m a team player, I’ve never let my head drop