Rumour: Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney can leave if the Reds qualify for Champions League

Manchester United have told Wayne Rooney he is free to leave the club but only if they qualify for the Champions League, according to the Daily Star.

Rooney, 28, has been United’s best player this season and attracted strong interest from Chelsea last summer but ended up staying at the club to work under David Moyes.

However, if he can help get over their poor form and guide them into the top four, he will be allowed to leave the club should he want to.

Apparently, if they do not qualify, he will have to stay and run down his £250,000 per week contract then leave the club for free in 2015. It sounds unusual, but it is what the Daily Star are reporting.

United are yet to open talks over a new deal with Rooney as Chelsea remain an interested party in the England international.

Missing out on Champions League football would be a disaster for United.

Yesterday it emerged they could be forced to cancel a pre-season tour of America as club bosses fear they will be playing in the Europa League next season.

The fallen giants are due to go on a three-week tour of the US in mid-July to launch the club’s £54 million shirt sponsorship deal with Chevrolet.

The plans are now on hold, though, because of the team’s poor form this season that could see them facing a qualifying round at the end of July in Europe’s second-tier competition.

Senior figures at Old Trafford have now shelved the tour plans until a clearer picture emerges of which competition Moyes’ men will be in next season.