Man United and Wayne Rooney Prepare for the Next Act of the Saga

The battle lines have been drawn and the armies moved into place. The final showdown between Wayne Rooney and Manchester United is almost upon us.

All the while, Jose Mourinho and Chelsea watch and wait. That's all they can do because, while the transfer saga has been billed as a battle of wills between two of the Premier League's star turns, it'll be Rooney's determination to leave Old Trafford which will ultimately be the deciding factor.

So far, United and David Moyes have made it clear that the England striker is not for sale. Chelsea, meanwhile, have put him at the top of their summer wish list, while Rooney's public silence only hints that he sees his future in London rather than Manchester.

With just under a month left of the transfer window, and United and Chelsea seemingly at a stalemate, the ball is in Rooney's court. 

If he wants to leave, he has three options. He can put in a transfer request to try and force United's hand. Alternatively, he could see out the final two years of his deal and leave as a free agent. 

The third option is a last resort and involves Rooney withholding his labour until United buckle and sell. It might seem unlikely, but if he's determined to leave this summer, he might feel he has no other option.

If that were to happen, it would be an unsavoury end to Rooney's nine years at United.

He's won the title five times and the Champions League once. United have been good to him since he arrived as a teenager from Everton in 2004. They have given him the opportunity to win trophies and have paid him handsomely while he's at it. 

But he will argue he's been good to the club, too, playing a central part in one of their most successful eras. 

The next act will be played out on Friday, when United host Sevilla for Rio Ferdinand's testimonial. If Rooney recovers from a shoulder injury in time to play, he will find out just how the fans feel about him.

There is a certain amount of apathy, especially compared to 2010 when Rooney last tried to move away, but the fans still feel betrayed. If he didn't know that already, and he would if he looked at his Twitter timeline, he'll find out on Friday or on Sunday during the Community Shield. 

From the outside looking in, the situation looks a mess. But with three weeks to go before the transfer window shuts on September 2, and with Rooney seemingly prepared to stare down United, it's only going to get worse.