Keane tips United exit for Rooney

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane believes Wayne Rooney may be approaching the end of his time with the club.

Rooney was left on the bench for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Old Trafford, with Danny Welbeck preferred by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Real won the second leg 2-1 to advance to the quarter-finals, with Rooney coming on as a second-half substitute.

Keane, who spent 12 years under the stewardship of Ferguson at Old Trafford, feels the decision to bench Rooney was not purely tactical and that the former Everton man may be soon be moving on from the Premier League giants.

“It surprised us all that he (Ferguson) left Wayne Rooney out. Maybe the writing is on the wall for him,” Keane said.

“Wayne needs a game or two, to be honest. He did okay in the second half against Norwich, but he needs a game.”