Rooney 7/4 to Become a Manchester Blue

MANCHESTER, England, October 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne Rooney is just 2/7 with Betfred to have left Manchester United by the end of the January transfer window after Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed today the England striker wants to quit the Red Devils.

It's 1/5 that Rooney will no longer be at Old Trafford at the close of next summer's transfer window, by which time less than a year will remain on his contract.

The world's biggest independent bookmaker now believes the most likely scenario for Rooney is an incredible switch to Manchester City, who are 7/4 to become his next permanent club.

Real Madrid are 5/2 to be the beneficiaries of Rooney's desire to move, with Barcelona at 7/2 and English champions Chelsea at 9/2.

Betfred spokesman Jon Wilde said: "Sir Alex Ferguson's surprising candour at today's press conference took everyone by surprise and the fact he was so frank about the situation meant Rooney's price to leave in January collapsed from 9/4 to 2/7.

"To see their hero move just a few miles across Manchester would be purgatory for all United fans, but it may be the only way the club can cash in to the full on their prize asset at a time when the club is saddled with so much debt."

    Wayne Rooney special bets

    To have left Manchester United by the end of the January 2011 transfer
    window

    2/7 Yes
    5/2 No

    To have left Manchester United by the end of the 2011 summer transfer
    window

    1/5 Yes
    10/3 No

    Wayne Rooney's next permanent club

    7/4 Manchester City
    5/2 Real Madrid
    7/2 Barcelona
    9/2 Chelsea
    20/1 AC Milan
    20/1 Inter Milan
    33/1 Juventus
    40/1 Bayern Munich
    40/1 Tottenham
    66/1 Arsenal
    100/1 bar

    Who will leave Manchester United first?

    1/12 Wayne Rooney
    6/1 Sir Alex Ferguson

    Wayne Rooney's transfer fee from Manchester United (void if swap deal)

    6/1 GBP10million or less
    12/1 GBP11-20million
    11/2 GBP21-30million
    15/8 GBP31-40million
    9/4 GBP41-50million
    11/2 GBP51-60million
    15/2 GBP61-70million
    12/1 GBP71million or more
    50/1 Wayne Rooney to retire at the end of this season

SOURCE Betfred