Does Wayne Rooney Think Manchester United Are Heading For a Slump?

Wayne Rooney's decision to leave Manchester United has been largely attributed to two things—a breakdown in his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's refusal to meet his wage demands in a new contract.

But Ferguson said today there has been no argument, and Rooney's agent surely knew £200,000 a week was never going to happen. United were not about to hand a blank check to their best player—it's simply not the way they work.

So does Rooney have another motive? As Sky Sports' Andy Gray pointed out this evening, there could be some footballing reasoning behind the 24-year-old's desire to leave Old Trafford.

With influential figures like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Edwin van der Sar very much in the twilight of their careers, perhaps Rooney senses the end of an era at United—the end of a dynasty even.

Manchester City, buoyed by Sheikh Mansour's millions, are threatening to form a new axis of power in the Premier League with Chelsea. The question is, where does that leave United?

On this season's showing, Ferguson's squad needs reinforcement badly. United have leaked goals too easily and lacked the steel that has marked his dominant title-winning teams.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have ruthlessly gone about their business and City are growing with every game. With Arsenal and Tottenham to compete with, can United really take a Champions League spot for granted this season?

Maybe Rooney isn't so sure. And maybe that's why he's so keen to leave Old Trafford. It might not be about the money after all...but about winning trophies.