Wayne Rooney has always been a key part of Manchester United's Champions League plans but on Tuesday, when the team sheet was announced, Rooney's name was missing from the playing XI. Alex Ferguson had decided to go with Danny Welbeck ahead of Rooney.
One thing is clear: Ferguson got his selection absolutely right on the night. The Red Devils played superbly and Welbeck stood out. If Nani had not been sent off, United probably would have won. Ferguson's tactics were just spot on and Madrid had no answer to break an 11-man United.
Ferguson himself played down the decision to leave out Rooney and suggested he was lacking match sharpness and that it was a tactical move to choose Welbeck ahead of Rooney. However, rumours suggest that with two and a half years left on his contract, Ferguson is ready to cash in on him.
There were a couple of others signs which might suggest the same. David Beckham was left out of a game against Real Madrid at Old Trafford in 2003 and sold at the end of the season. Star striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy was left out of the Carling Cup Final in 2006 and was sold at the end of that season.
The effects of omitting Rooney will also increase speculation about a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain. Rooney's absence was not the reason United lost, because Nani's red card dominated the aftermath. But surely Rooney's future will be the talking point in the newspapers.
Can Manchester United afford to sell Wayne Rooney?
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